Kenya’s presence in Milan Cortina 2026

Kenya has two athletes at these Winter Games, both in alpine skiing: Sabrina Wanjiku Simader and Issa Laborde.

Simader is Kenya’s pioneer Winter Olympian on the women’s side and returns to the Games in downhill and Super-G events, while Laborde steps up from youth ranks to his first senior Olympics.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has been given a ceremonial role as one of the Olympic flag bearers at the opening ceremony, highlighting Kenya’s profile even beyond its two winter athletes.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have just officially begun, with the opening ceremony held yesterday and the first full day of competition now underway.

The Games run from February 6–22, 2026, hosted across northern Italy with events split between Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and several Alpine venues.

Organizers are emphasizing reuse of existing facilities, with over 90% of venues either already built or temporary to cut costs and environmental impact.

The main show took place at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, with simultaneous celebrations at mountain venues, formally lighting the Olympic cauldrons and welcoming athletes.

Performances featured major Italian artists and global stars; crowd reactions also drew attention when some spectators in Milan booed U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance during his appearance.

Security has been tightened around Milan and all Olympic sites, with around 6,000 security personnel including counter‑terrorism units, bomb squads, and snipers deployed for the Games.

In Alpine skiing, big names and comeback stories are drawing attention, and official training sessions in downhill and other speed events are setting up marquee races over the next few days.