Fourteen athletes from eight African nations are set to compete at the Winter Olympics, marking a significant increase from Beijing 2022.

Black athletes from around the world are competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, with Team USA, Canada, Jamaica, Nigeria, Benin, Madagascar, Eritrea and Kenya all represented in various sports and disciplines.

As the 2026 Winter Games get started, here are some of the ways Olympic athletes are stepping up to take climate action.

Simader, Kenya’s trailblazer on snow, will compete in Alpine Skiing at her third Olympic Games, further cementing her status as the face of Kenyan winter sports. She made history at PyeongChang 2018 a

Athletes from around the world are in the Italian Alps for the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday – including 13 sportspeople from eight African countries. Though the continent isn't associated with winter sports,

Over time, Black people have become more and more visible in sports they historically weren't celebrated in. Meet some of the faces!

Skier Issa Laborde is ready to make his Olympic debut for Kenya after his compatriot Sabrina Simader pulled out of her own races due to financial constraints.

At just 18 years old, Issa Gachingiri Laborde Dit Pere has become Kenya's sole representative at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, stepping onto the global stage as the nation's lone alpine skier after compatriot Sabrina Simader withdrew due to financial constraints.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo claimed a historic ninth Winter Olympic gold as Norway triumphed in the relay, while Italy celebrated more home success through Federica Brignone at Milan-Cortina 2026.