Black Trailblazers to Watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Black athletes from the U.S., Canada, Nigeria and elsewhere are seeking medals across a myriad of sports.
The 2026 Winter Olympics feature a record number of Black athletes competing across various disciplines, representing both traditional winter sports powerhouses and several African nations. These Games serve as a significant marker for diversity in winter sports, as several competitors are the first from their respective countries or ethnic backgrounds to qualify in their specific events.
From the hockey rinks of Milan to the alpine slopes of Cortina d'Ampezzo, these athletes are participating in the highest level of international competition. The following list highlights the key Black athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Games:
United States
- Laila Edwards, Ice Hockey: A defender from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who is the first Black woman to play for the U.S. Olympic women's ice hockey team.
- Elana Meyers Taylor, Bobsled: A five-time Olympic medalist competing in her fifth Winter Games, currently the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history.
- Erin Jackson, Speed Skating: The 2022 gold medalist in the 500m return for her third Olympics as the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal.
- Darryl Payne Jr., Skeleton: A former track athlete at Baylor University who is the first African American man to compete for the U.S. in Olympic skeleton.
- Azaria Hill, Bobsled: A brakeman in the two-woman bobsled event and the daughter of Olympic medalists.
- Kaysha Love, Bobsled: A former track and field athlete who is a premier contender in both the monobob and two-woman bobsled events.
- Bryan Sosoo, Bobsled: A Ghanaian-American athlete who transitioned from competitive track and field to the U.S. bobsled team.
Canada
- Sarah Nurse, Ice Hockey: A forward playing in her third Winter Games who holds the record for the most points scored in a single women's Olympic hockey tournament.
- Sophie Jaques, Ice Hockey: A defenseman making her Olympic debut and the first Black player to win the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the top player in NCAA Division I.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
- Samuel Ikpefan, Cross-Country Skiing (Nigeria): The first Nigerian to compete in two different Winter Olympic Games, specializing in the sprint events.
- Nathan Tchibozo, Alpine Skiing (Benin): A 21-year-old making history as the first athlete to ever represent Benin at the Winter Olympics.
- Winston Tang, Alpine Skiing (Guinea-Bissau): A 19-year-old representing Guinea-Bissau in the country's debut appearance at the Winter Olympic Games.
- Mialitiana Clerc, Alpine Skiing (Madagascar): The first African woman to compete in three Winter Olympics, participating in the slalom and giant slalom.
- Mathieu Neumuller, Alpine Skiing (Madagascar): A two-time Olympian also known as Mathieu Gravier who serves as a flag bearer and competitor in the giant slalom.
- Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda, Alpine Skiing (Eritrea): A three-time Olympian competing in his final Games in the slalom and giant slalom events.
- Nicole Burger, Skeleton (South Africa): The first South African woman to compete in skeleton at the senior Olympic level.
- Lara Markthaler, Alpine Skiing (South Africa): An 18-year-old skier competing in the women's giant slalom and slalom events.
- Thomas Weir, Alpine Skiing (South Africa): A 17-year-old alpine skier representing South Africa in the men's technical events.
- Issa Laborde, Alpine Skiing (Kenya): The sole representative for Kenya in the senior alpine skiing events following a successful Youth Olympic career.
- Pietro Tranchina, Alpine Skiing (Morocco): A technical specialist competing in the slalom and giant slalom for the Moroccan delegation.
- Abderrahim Kemmissa, Cross-Country Skiing (Morocco): An endurance athlete representing Morocco in the 10km freestyle race.
