Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics draws to a close today as the Games conclude after seventeen days of world-class competition across northern Italy. The Kingdom sent two athletes to represent the nation on the global winter sports stage, marking another significant chapter in Saudi Arabia’s expanding Olympic journey.
Rakan Alireza Carries the Flag for the Kingdom
Cross-country skier Rakan Alireza, a 29-year-old born in Florida and raised with deep Saudi roots, had the honor of carrying the Kingdom’s flag during the opening ceremony at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium on February 6. His selection as flagbearer reflected both his dedication to the sport and the growing recognition of winter sports development within Saudi Arabia.
Alireza competed in the Men’s 10 km Interval Start Freestyle event, finishing with a time of 31:04.0. While the result placed him 109th in the field, completing the race at the Olympic level represented a significant personal and national milestone. His qualification for the Games came after years of intensive training and competition on the international circuit, including a strong showing at the World Ski Championships in Trondheim.
Fayik Abdi Takes on Alpine Skiing
Alpine skier Fayik Abdi represented Saudi Arabia in two events during the Games. In the Men’s Giant Slalom, Abdi posted a combined time of 2:53.41 to finish 67th, completing both runs in a display of determination and composure on the demanding Olympic course. He also entered the Men’s Slalom but did not finish his first run.
The dual-event appearance underlined the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s commitment to broadening the Kingdom’s competitive footprint across multiple winter disciplines. Officials described the experience as invaluable for building technical expertise and raising standards for future generations of Saudi winter athletes.
A Growing Winter Sports Ambition
Saudi Arabia’s presence at the Winter Olympics has grown steadily since its debut at Beijing 2022. The Milano Cortina campaign, overseen by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, reflects a deliberate strategy to develop winter sports infrastructure and athlete pathways as part of the Kingdom’s broader sporting transformation under Vision 2030.
The Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee has emphasized that participation in elite international competition is essential to exposing athletes to the highest standards of performance. With the 2030 Asian Winter Games on the horizon and continued investment in athlete development programs, Saudi Arabia’s winter sports ambitions show no signs of slowing down.
As the closing ceremony takes place in Milan tonight, Alireza and Abdi return home having represented the Kingdom with distinction on one of the world’s most prestigious sporting stages.
