Benin Makes Winter Olympics Debut with Skier Nathan Tchibozo
Benin is set to make its first-ever appearance at the Winter Olympics, with alpine skier Nathan Tchibozo representing the nation at the 2026 Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to February 22. This marks a historic moment for the West African country, traditionally known for its contributions to summer sports.
Tchibozo, 22, will compete in giant slalom and slalom events. He previously represented Togo at the 2023 World Ski Championships before switching his allegiance to Benin. The athlete qualified for the Games through the basic quota system, according to Wikipedia.
“Representing Benin at the Winter Olympics is an immense honor,” Tchibozo said, as reported by benin-sports.com. “It’s the fruit of several years of work, sacrifice and perseverance. I will not be there only for myself, but for the whole country. I hope to inspire Beninese youth to believe that anything is possible, even in disciplines little known in our country.”
The Benin National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOS-Ben) hailed Tchibozo’s qualification as a major step forward for sport in the country. This participation is a turning point for Benin, opening doors for future winter sports development and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Tchibozo’s journey to the Olympics has been one of dedication and progress, having already competed in the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Junior Worlds. He aims to perform to the best of his ability and proudly carry the Beninese flag on the Italian slopes. Le Matinal reports that the Beninese flag is already flying at the Olympic Village in Milan-Cortina.
Benin joins seven other African nations – Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Eritrea, and South Africa – who will likewise be represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with a total of 14 athletes from the continent competing, as detailed by Le360 Afrique.
