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.

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,

More than 3500 athletes from 93 countries will be competing for 195 medals at the Milan-Cortina Games. Three countries will be making their Winter Olympic debuts at the 2026 Games, the African nations of Benin and Guinea Bissau along with the United Arab Emirates.

Mikaela Shiffrin (alpine skiing): 108 World Cup wins and 164 podiums, the most ever, with 3 Olympic medals and titles across six disciplines. Lindsey Vonn (alpine skiing): Back from retirement at age 41 with 84 World Cup wins, 3 Olympic medals, and a comeback enabled by knee surgery.