Simader and Laborde to fly Kenya’s flag at Milano Cortina 2026

Kenya’s unlikely but steadily growing presence at the Winter Olympics will take another proud step forward after the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) confirmed Sabrina Wanjiku Simader and Issa Laborde as the country’s representatives at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Simader, Kenya’s trailblazer on snow, will compete in Alpine Skiing at her third Olympic Games, further cementing her status as the face of Kenyan winter sports. She made history at PyeongChang 2018 as Kenya’s first female Olympic skier and returned to the slopes at Beijing 2022, inspiring a new wave of African athletes to dream beyond traditional sporting boundaries.

Born in Kenya and raised in Austria, Simader learned to ski at a young age and has since carried the Kenyan flag across some of the world’s toughest alpine courses. She has repeatedly spoken of her pride in representing her country of birth, proving that excellence in winter sports is not limited to nations with snow-filled landscapes. At Milano Cortina, Simader is scheduled to compete on 18 February 2026 in three events—two speed disciplines and one technical race.

Joining her is Issa Laborde, one of Kenya’s youngest winter Olympians and a symbol of the sport’s future in the country. Laborde made his international breakthrough at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, where he competed in all four alpine skiing events, gaining valuable exposure against elite global competition.

Born and raised in France, Laborde chose to represent Kenya through his mother, driven by a strong sense of family heritage and a desire to inspire young Africans to believe that winter sports are within reach. He is scheduled to compete on 14 February 2026 and will be supported by a dedicated technical team to ensure optimal preparation and athlete welfare.

NOC-K Development Lead Susan Adhiambo hailed the qualification of both athletes as a significant achievement. “For Kenya, a country on the equator, to have two athletes competing against nations where skiing is part of daily life is something to be very proud of,” she said, noting that Laborde’s year-round training support in France has played a key role in his development.

With the opening ceremony set for 6 February 2026, Kenya’s participation at Milano Cortina goes beyond symbolism. Backed by Simader’s experience and Laborde’s youthful promise, the country will once again showcase ambition, resilience, and a growing commitment to expanding its sporting horizons on the global stage.