DURING the next season of snow, the 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milan and in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22. 93 countries, including the Philippines, will compete in this monumental multi-sports event. 

Winter Sports’ First Tropical Contender

Back in 1972, the Philippines was the first tropical country to compete for the Winter Olympics, making its debut 48 years after the first winter games. At that time, Filipino alpine skiers Juan Cipriano and Ben Nanasca represented the nation. In 2014, Filipino athlete Michael Christian Martinez became the first Southeast Asian figure skater to take part in the Olympics. Asa Miller also represented the country in alpine skiing at the 2018 and 2022 games. While the country  still awaits its first Olympic medal, the nation is hoping for its breakthrough in the upcoming games.

Potentials in Making the Spots

Big opportunities are built on hard work and determination. With active progress and drive in their previous games, these athletes are sending strong signals in making spots for the Winter Olympics. 

After a crash in the 2022 winter games, two-time Olympian skier Asa remains determined to carry the Philippine flag on the world stage. With optimism and improved technique, he says, “I’m hoping to make another appearance in the 2026 Olympics.”

The Philippine Men’s Curling Team composed of: Enrico Pfister, Marc Pfister, Christian Haller, and Alan Frei, recently achieved a historic milestone, winning gold at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in China. Their goal is  to compete for the 2026 event. “We want to achieve that goal of going to the Olympics,” Frei said. To qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, they still have to compete for the Pan-Continental World Championships and the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in October this year. 

There will be new sports included in the upcoming games. Ski mountaineering, freestyle skiing, open luge, skeleton, and ski jumping were added to the 16 disciplines of next year’s Olympics event. 

Competing in the Olympics is never easy, especially in the Winter Games when you come from a tropical country. Training abroad, staying physically and mentally fit, keeping a fighting spirit, is a job of willpower and sacrifice. True to the  Filipino spirit of resilience, let us support our athletes as they shimmer and not shiver on ice and snow.