2026 Winter Olympics: Benin’s first participation
For the first time, Benin will be represented at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, with skier Nathan Tchibozo as the sole athlete and flag-bearer of a highly symbolic participation.
For the first time, Benin will be represented at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, with skier Nathan Tchibozo as the sole athlete and flag-bearer of a highly symbolic participation.
Benin’s sport is poised to reach a historic milestone. For the first time in its history, Benin will be represented at the Winter Olympic Games, whose 2026 edition will be held in Milan-Cortina, Italy. An announcement made official by the National Olympic and Sports Committee, which opens a new page for the country on the world sports stage.
Until now absent from winter disciplines, Benin will thus make its entry into a universe long perceived as reserved for cold-weather nations. A highly symbolic participation, illustrating the gradual broadening of Benin’s sporting horizons and its ability to step into places where it was not expected.
All eyes will be on Nathan Tchibozo, the sole athlete competing and the flag-bearer of this unprecedented adventure. The young skier will alone embody the ambitions and national pride during these Games scheduled from February 6 to 22, 2026. As he speeds down the Italian slopes, he will carry the colors of Benin and the dream of an entire people.
Beyond athletic performance, this presence at the Winter Olympic Games sends a strong message: passion, boldness, and hard work can push back all boundaries. Even for a tropical country, skiing becomes a possible arena for expression. A historic first, set to inspire future generations.
