The 2026 Winter Olympics, set to commence on February 6 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, will mark a significant milestone as several nations, including Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will be making their debut at this global sporting event. In a notable development, athletes from Russia and Belarus, previously banned from international competitions following the invasion of Ukraine, will also be able to compete under the neutral designation of ‘Individual Neutral Athletes’ (AIN).
The inclusion of Middle Eastern countries in the Winter Olympics has garnered much attention. The UAE, though it has previously participated in the Winter Youth Olympics and the Winter Asian Games, will be entering the Winter Olympics for the first time. This is particularly remarkable given the nation’s hot climate, where summer temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius and winter never drops below 10 degrees, making winter sports a considerable challenge to promote.
Despite these challenges, the UAE has been proactive in fostering winter sports since joining the International Ski and Snowboard Federation in 2021 as a provisional member. Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, stated that efforts have been underway for decades to build a generation capable of excellence and global competitiveness. This participation signifies an important step toward showcasing the UAE’s initiatives in developing youth talent and institutional frameworks in winter sports.
International media has highlighted the significance of the UAE’s participation, suggesting it symbolizes the message that sports do not adhere to geographic or climatic boundaries. Historically, winter sports participation in Middle Eastern countries has faced obstacles, primarily attracting nations with ski resorts.
Lebanon is noted as one of the pioneering countries in the region, having participated in the Winter Olympics since 1948 due to its mountainous terrain. Iran follows closely behind, having sent athletes since 1956, with several ski resorts in the Alborz mountain range. In recent years, other Middle Eastern nations have sought to improve their Winter Olympic prospects by constructing indoor ski facilities, recruiting naturalized athletes, and exploring training abroad.
For the upcoming Milan Games, the UAE will send two athletes to compete in skiing: 20-year-old Alexander Astridge and 30-year-old Piera Hudson. Hudson, who switched her nationality from New Zealand last June, and Astridge, who began skiing at three years old in Dubai, represent a new generation of athletes. Astridge expressed a desire to inspire future generations, emphasizing the attainable dream of Olympic participation.
Although no Middle Eastern nation has yet won a medal in the Winter Olympics, the trend toward broader participation and the nurturing of youth talent suggests that podium finishes may not be far off in the future. With a continued commitment to develop winter sports, the region is laying the groundwork for potential success on the international stage.