Who is Nigerian Samuel Ikpefan among 15 African athletes competing at Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina

Nigerian cross-country skier Samuel Ikpefan is set to be one of just 15 athletes representing Africa at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. He aims to make a strong impression after an unfortunate debut in Beijing four years prior.

The African delegation will be small, with Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Eritrea each sending a single athlete. Madagascar, Morocco, and Kenya will field two competitors each, while South Africa will have the largest group with five athletes.

Ikpefan, who was the first Nigerian to compete at a Winter Games, is scheduled for the 10-km freestyle and the sprint classic events. He hopes to serve as an inspiration for athletes from nations not traditionally associated with winter sports.

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“I do feel a certain responsibility (representing Africa), but I see it as something positive,” Ikpefan told Flashscore. “Representation matters. If my journey can inspire young athletes of African heritage to believe that winter sports are accessible to them, then it’s already a success.”

“To encourage more participation, we need visibility, role models, and better access to existing structures,” he added. “Many athletes already live in countries with strong winter sports systems; it’s about opening doors and changing perceptions.”

Born in Haute-Savoie, France, to a French mother and a Nigerian father from Edo State, Ikpefan’s background is a testament to global mobility. He believes there are many others with similar stories who could follow in his footsteps.

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“Being raised in the Alps, winter sports were a natural part of my environment,” he explained. “I discovered cross-country skiing at a young age, initially as a passion for being outdoors and staying active. Over time, this passion evolved into competitive skiing.”

He noted the profound impact the sport has had on his life, saying, “Skiing has played a major role in shaping who I am, teaching me discipline, resilience, and consistency.”

The decision to compete for Nigeria was a personal one. “Given my Nigerian heritage through my father, representing Nigeria felt meaningful and authentic,” Ikpefan said.

“I wanted to compete at the highest level while also representing a country that is still developing in winter sports. After discussions with the Nigerian federation and ensuring everything was aligned… the opportunity became official.”

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This will be Ikpefan’s second Olympic appearance. His first, at Beijing 2022, was marred by a COVID-19 infection just before the competition, which severely hampered his performance. He finished 73rd in the sprint qualification and did not complete the 15-km classical race.

“Beijing 2022 was a very difficult experience due to COVID-19,” he recalled. “But that experience has become a strong source of motivation for Milano-Cortina. I want to experience the Games in a more complete and normal context, and to perform closer to my true level.”

Looking ahead to Milano-Cortina, where he will be 34, Ikpefan is focused on his performance rather than his final ranking. “It is to deliver strong and consistent performances, and to achieve the best results possible for me on the Olympic stage,” he stated. “Beyond rankings, I want to feel that I raced at my true level and represented Nigeria with pride and professionalism.”

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As for his future, he remains undecided. “Milano-Cortina is a major milestone in my career. Right now, my full focus is on preparing for it. After the Games, I will take time to reflect… It will naturally be a moment to reassess the next chapter.”

When he does eventually retire, Ikpefan plans to remain involved in the sport by helping develop the next generation of athletes. “I am involved in coaching and athlete development,” he said. “In the long term, I would like to stay involved in sport, whether through coaching, development programs, or contributing to the growth of cross-country skiing in emerging nations.”