South Africa are set to be the best-represented African country at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics (Feb. 6-22), with five athletes expected to participate among a total 13 from the continent.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has announced Matthew Smith and Nicole Burger as the flagbearers for Team SA for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Five South African athletes will take part in the nations parade along the Corso Italia pedestrian street in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

South Africa fields its largest Winter Olympics team ever at Milano Cortina 2026, showcasing rising talent in winter sports and challenging global perceptions.

Cross-country skier Matthew Smith and skeleton athlete Nicole Burger will carry the South African flag at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Five South Africans, three women and two men, will represent the country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics from February 6 to 22.

At 18, Lara Markthaler is already carving her name into Olympic snow. Nicknamed Spunkiiiiii and recognisable by her trademark pink hair, Lara heads to Milano Cortina to race the slalom and giant

Three countries will be making their Winter Olympic debuts at the 2026 Games, the African nations of Benin and Guinea Bissau along with the United Arab Emirates. But with the established winter sport nations such as Norway,

Winter Olympics Milan-Cortina dates, venues, events, athletes, sports, schedule and costs as Italy hosts the Winter Games across multiple cities.

One of South African cross-country skier Matt Smith’s inspiring quotes we often hear is: “It is no longer enough just to be a good athlete for results. You need to also have results off the course.”Ov

Live stream the action from Bormio and Cortina d'Ampezzo from anywhere in the world.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, mark a historic moment for the Games. Not only because Italy is hosting for the first time since Torino 2006, but because these Olympics will be taking place in multiple locations, with venues scattered across the Italian Alps and Dolomites.