UAE Makes History With First Winter Olympics Entry
The UAE has reached a historic milestone as it prepares for its first Winter Olympics participation. This desert nation will make history by sending athletes to compete in the Winter Olympic Games, defying both geographic and climate barriers in international sports.
Officials revealed this groundbreaking news at the National Olympic Committee headquarters in Dubai on Thursday. The announcement thrilled UAE news enthusiasts and sports followers. Two skiers—one man and one woman—will represent the national team at the 2026 Winter Olympics from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The UAE’s athletes will join approximately 2,900 elite competitors from around the world who will vie for 114 medal sets across eight sports and 16 disciplines.
This remarkable achievement goes beyond UAE sports. The country has surpassed traditional limitations to join the prestigious winter sports community, despite its desert landscape and hot climate. This milestone showcases UAE’s expanding influence in global sports.
UAE announces historic debut at Winter Olympics
The UAE made history with its first-ever Winter Olympics announcement at a press conference Thursday at the National Olympic Committee headquarters in Dubai. This remarkable milestone opens new possibilities for winter sports in a nation traditionally known for its desert landscape.
National Olympic Committee confirms participation
The UAE National Olympic Committee made a groundbreaking decision to send athletes to compete in the 2026 Winter Games. Hamel Al Qubaisi, vice-president of the UAE Winter Sports Federation, described this achievement as the result of years of dedication and hard work.
“Today, we take pride in the journey achieved by the UAE Winter Sports Federation, and we look forward to seeing our athletes represent their country with pride on the Olympic stage,” Al Qubaisi stated. He further noted that this participation demonstrates that “Emirati sport knows no boundaries – neither geographical nor climatic – but is driven by an ambitious vision to build a generation capable of excellence and global competitiveness”.
Press conference reveals athlete names and roles
The press conference unveiled key details about UAE’s pioneering Winter Olympics team. Two Alpine skiers will represent the nation at the Games. Both athletes will carry their nation’s flag during the opening ceremony, which will uniquely unfold across four different locations simultaneously.
Estridge will proudly display the UAE flag in Milan, while Hudson takes on flag-bearing duties in Cortina. This arrangement showcases a defining moment for both athletes as they prepare to represent their nation at this prestigious event.
Event to be held in Milan and Cortina from Feb 6–22
Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy will host the 2026 Winter Olympic Games from February 6 to 22. The event will bring together 2,900 elite athletes worldwide competing for 114 medal sets across eight sports and 16 disciplines.
UAE’s participation in this global competition symbolizes more than athletic achievement. Al Qubaisi emphasized that this milestone shows how sports in the country surpass traditional geographic or climate limitations, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to international excellence.
Who are the athletes representing the UAE?
The UAE will make its historic Winter Olympics debut in Italy next month with two exceptional athletes carrying the nation’s hopes. Their trip to this momentous occasion showcases the nation’s emerging winter sports development program.
Alex Astridge: Dubai-born skier trained at Ski Dubai
Astridge, 19, represents the UAE’s homegrown winter sports talent. The Dubai native has lived in the city since his birth in 2006. He first tried skiing at Ski Dubai at age three. His talent showed early—he started racing at seven and competed internationally by nine. That’s when he decided to represent the UAE globally.
“I’ve lived in Dubai my whole life and I learnt at Ski Dubai. I was seven when I did my first race here,” Astridge told The National in February 2025. Mohamed Moulay, his original coach, continues to mentor him today.
Astridge’s accomplishments include the title of Absolute National Champion of the UAE. He also competed in prestigious events like the Youth Olympics in Gangwon. “A defining moment was the opening ceremony. Carrying the flag was unbelievable. That’s when I thought: this is real, this is what I want to do,” he revealed in an interview with FIS.
Piera Hudson: Former New Zealand athlete now competing for UAE
Hudson, 29, adds international expertise to the UAE team. Born on February 7, 1996, she represented New Zealand in alpine skiing before choosing the UAE. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) approved her nation change on September 24, 2025.
Hudson’s application faced early hurdles. She needed to provide proof of UAE residency and passport documentation. Her determination paid off, enabling her to pursue her goal of becoming “the first UAE athlete in history to compete at a Winter Olympic Games”.
Flag-bearing duties at opening ceremony
The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony features a unique format with simultaneous events at four locations. This setup allows both UAE athletes to serve as flag bearers. Astridge will carry the national flag in Milan, while Hudson takes on this honor in Cortina.
This shared flag-bearing responsibility marks a defining moment for UAE winter sports. Both athletes stand ready to make history at the Games scheduled from February 6-22.
How did the UAE prepare for the Winter Games?
UAE’s path to the Winter Olympics milestone took years of development on many fronts.
Participation in Youth Olympics and Asian Winter Games
UAE built its winter sports foundation through regular international competitions. The country sent teams to the Winter Youth Olympic Games 2024 and Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. The nation also competed in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China from February 7-14. Seven athletes—six male and one female—represented UAE in three disciplines: alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding. This was UAE’s third time competing in the Asian Winter Games.
Training under FIS Development Program in Switzerland
UAE athletes improved their skills by a lot through international training programs. Young Emirati talents received specialized coaching at the prestigious FIS Development Program in Switzerland. Three Emirati snowsport athletes joined the FIS Development Program camp in Laax, Switzerland in April 2023. These athletes later completed intensive on-snow training along with dry land sessions to enhance their acrobatic skills.
Support from UAE Winter Sports Federation and international bodies
UAE became a Full Member of FIS in 2022, and the federation quickly built mutually beneficial alliances to boost winter sports. The UAE Winter Sports Federation partnered with Ski Dubai in April 2025 through a memorandum of understanding. This agreement provided funding and operational support to prepare athletes. Young Emirati talents have grown tremendously because of this partnership.
What does this mean for UAE sports on the global stage?
UAE’s first Winter Olympics participation means more than just a sports milestone. It shows how the nation has grown into a serious competitor in global sports, whatever the climate or location.
Breaking climatic and geographic barriers
UAE has turned its desert environment into an advantage through smart solutions in sports development. The country now has climate-controlled sports facilities that have become common nationwide. Athletes can train year-round in safe, temperature-controlled spaces, even in the hottest months. The nation has changed from a regional player into a global sports center with over AED 55.08 billion invested.
Deepening UAE’s Olympic commitment
The National Olympic Committee works with a clear plan built on three foundations: better sports governance, leadership growth, and equipping athletes. The UAE National Sports Strategy 2031 wants to see 71% of people taking part in a variety of sports. Several Olympic projects are underway, including a new Olympic Academy and a UAE Olympic Library that will house thousands of international resources.
Vision to build globally competitive athletes
UAE takes a detailed and structured approach to developing athletes. The new National Athlete Pathway program offers complete support to prepare competitors for top international events. Current programs are part of a larger plan to spot, grow, and ready sporting talent. UAE plans to roll out 17 programs by 2031 to reach its bold goals, which include finding talented athletes in schools and creating a distinct global identity for Emirati sports.
UAE’s historic Winter Olympics entry proves the nation’s steadfast dedication to sports excellence. A desert nation competing in winter sports once seemed impossible. Today, it’s reality through strategic vision and dedicated effort. Alex Astridge and Piera Hudson will carry their national flag and their nation’s dreams when they represent UAE in Milan and Cortina.
This milestone exceeds traditional sporting boundaries. Geographic and climatic limitations once held nations like UAE back from winter sports. In spite of that, these barriers have crumbled through innovative facilities like Ski Dubai, international training programs, and strong institutional support.
Their path to this historic moment started years ago with youth competitions, regional events, and specialized training camps. Years of building reliable infrastructure, expertise, and talent conclude in this breakthrough moment for Emirati winter sports.
This Olympic debut marks just the beginning of UAE’s winter sports story, not its end. UAE now leads the way in challenging old ideas about which nations can excel in specific sports. It also fits perfectly with UAE National Sports Strategy 2031, which wants to develop world-class athletes in any discipline.
This historic entry delivers a clear message to aspiring athletes in UAE and similar nations – passion and determination can overcome any obstacle. Desert sand hasn’t limited Emirati sporting dreams. Instead, it provided solid ground to reach snowy heights. As Astridge and Hudson prepare to make history on Italy’s slopes, they showcase UAE sports’ unlimited potential on the global stage.
