The UAE concludes its historic first participation in the Winter Olympic Games
Milan, February 19, 2017 – The United Arab Emirates concluded its first historic participation in the Winter Olympics, hosted by the cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which began on February 6, and included about 2,900 athletes who competed in eight sports and 16 competitions.
The Emirati appearance came in the alpine skiing competitions, where Bera Hodson, a player of the Emirates ski team, participated in the women’s competition, which is considered one of the difficult categories within the course program because it requires high skills in speed, precision of turns, and control of the track. She presented a performance that reflected the amount of preparations she underwent during the last period, confirming an honorable presence for the Emirates in the first winter Olympic participation in its history.
Alexandre Stregi, a player for the UAE ski national team, also competed in the men’s alpine skiing competitions with the participation of 96 elite skiers from around the world, confirming the country’s presence in the men’s and women’s categories in this global event.
His Excellency Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, confirmed that the UAE’s first participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics represents a qualitative step towards strengthening the country’s presence on the international sports arena, noting that recording this attendance reflects the development of the preparation and qualification system, and the ability of athletes to take on challenges in various environments and at the highest levels. He added that donating the training suit to the Olympic Museum carries a symbolism that documents the beginning of a new phase in the record of national participation.
For his part, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Director of the UAE delegation, expressed his happiness at being present in this global forum, noting that competing among athletes from countries with a winter geographical nature posed an additional challenge, but the team players presented positive levels and were keen to represent the country in an appropriate manner.
Mohammed Khadem, Chairman of the Ski Committee of the Emirates Winter Sports Federation, confirmed that the team’s preparations included a training program that focused on the artistic and technical aspects of alpine skiing, in addition to developing speed skills, balance, turning techniques, enhancing physical endurance and the ability to control performance under pressure, noting that participation represents an important step in the process of developing ski sports in the country.
On the sidelines of the participation, the UAE Ski National Team handed over the official training suit to the Olympic Museum administration, as part of the protocol ceremonies followed in the Olympic Games, in a step that documents the country’s first participation in this global sporting event.
With this participation, Emirati sports mark a new milestone in its Olympic journey, as part of a trend that enhances the diversity of the country’s sporting presence in various international forums.
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