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.

Fourteen athletes from eight African nations are set to compete at the Winter Olympics, marking a significant increase from Beijing 2022.

As the 2026 Winter Games get started, here are some of the ways Olympic athletes are stepping up to take climate action.

Skier Issa Laborde is ready to make his Olympic debut for Kenya after his compatriot Sabrina Simader pulled out of her own races due to financial constraints.

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,

The 2026 Winter Olympics saw a significant number of Black athletes from around the world, including two-time Olympian Erin Jackson, Laila Edwards, and Stevenson Savart, competing in sports traditionally dominated by white athletes from Nordic countries.

Six Olympic skiers joined by ⁠their parents, coaches and ​federation presidents came together on Sunday to advocate for more inclusion at the Winter Games. Representing Jamaica, Kenya, Eritrea, Madagascar,

Kenya’s alpine skiing star Sabrina Simader, nicknamed the “Snow Leopard,” will miss the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 , leaving Issa Laborde as the country’s sole representative. The 27-year-old skier, who made her Olympic debut in PyeongChang 2018, had planned a comeback after retiring last July.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo claimed a historic ninth Winter Olympic gold as Norway triumphed in the relay, while Italy celebrated more home success through Federica Brignone at Milan-Cortina 2026.