The United Arab Emirates is preparing to write a new chapter in its sporting history. For the very first time, the nation will compete at the Winter Olympic Games. Two Alpine skiers will represent the UAE at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
A Historic Milestone for Emirati Sport
This participation marks a major breakthrough. Until now, the UAE had only appeared at the Winter Youth Olympic Games. The main Olympic event remained an unattained goal. That changes next month.
The official announcement came on Thursday. A press conference at the UAE National Olympic Committee headquarters in Dubai confirmed the news. The 2026 Games will be held in Milan and Cortina from February 6 to 22.
Meet the Pioneering Athletes
Alex Estridge and Piera Hudson will carry the UAE's hopes. Estridge, who is just 19 years old, is a product of the UAE's own winter sports system. He learned to ski at Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates. He first took up the sport at the tender age of three.
"I have lived in Dubai my whole life," Estridge said last year. "I learned to ski locally, raced for the first time at seven, and recently competed at the Youth Olympics." He will carry the UAE flag during the opening ceremony in Milan.
Piera Hudson, 29, brings valuable international experience. She previously represented New Zealand. She switched her sporting nationality to the UAE in June 2025. Hudson will serve as the flagbearer in Cortina.
Years of Effort Culminate in Olympic Dream
Hamel Al Qubaisi is the vice-president of the UAE Winter Sports Federation. He described the announcement as the result of persistent effort over many years.
"We are proud of the progress made," Al Qubaisi stated. "Seeing Emirati athletes on the Olympic stage is incredibly exciting. This historic achievement proves our sport is not limited by geography or climate. It is driven by ambition and a vision for global excellence."
He pointed to a series of preparatory successes. These included participation in the Winter Youth Olympic Games 2024. The Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 and the Asian Winter Games 2025 also featured UAE athletes. These events demonstrated the country's capacity to develop high-level winter sports competitors.
Building a Winter Sports Foundation
The journey to the Olympics involved strategic development. UAE skiers have benefited from international training programs. A key example is the FIS Development Programme in Switzerland.
In a significant step, the UAE became an official member of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation in September 2024. This membership was crucial for accessing world-class competitions and resources.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be a massive global event. Approximately 2,900 athletes from around the world are expected to compete. They will vie for 114 medals across eight sports and sixteen different disciplines.
The opening ceremony for these Games will be unique. Events will be spread across four different locations, adding to the spectacle. For the UAE, simply being there is the ultimate victory. It signals the arrival of a desert nation on the world's premier winter sports stage.
