UAE NOC fetes athletes ahead of Winter Games

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the UAE in cooperation with the UAE Winter Sports Federation and Ski Dubai, on Sunday honoured the athletes representing the UAE at the 26th edition of the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026. The ceremony was held at Ski Dubai ahead of the delegation’s departure to Italy next Wednesday.

The Games will be hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from Feb.6, 2026, marking the UAE’s first-ever participation in this global Olympic event.

The UAE will be represented by Alexander Astridge and Piera Hudson in Alpine skiing competitions, scheduled over three days within the Games programme. The event will bring together approximately 2,900 elite athletes from around the world competing for 114 medal sets across eight sports and 16 disciplines.

The event was attended by Hamel Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Vice President of the UAE Winter Sports Federation; Juma Mohammed Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Federation; Ibrahim Ali Khadem, Board Member; Mohammed Hussein Khadem, Chairman of the Ski and Snowboard Committee; Mohammed Aref, Technical Director of the Federation; and Mohammad El Etri, Chief Operating Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Group.

The programme featured a range of activities in recognition of the athletes and accompanying coaching teams for their sustained efforts, culminating in qualification for the Winter Olympic Games for the first time in the nation’s history. The celebration included technical displays and a ceremonial procession during which several athletes carried the UAE flag down the snow slopes before attendees, marking the country’s historic participation on the Olympic stage.

Hamel Ahmed Al Qubaisi affirmed that the UAE national team’s participation in Milano Cortina 2026 represents a historic milestone reflecting the country’s growing presence on the global sporting stage. He stated: “The UAE’s participation marks a defining moment in our sporting journey and underscores the nation’s expanding footprint in international sport. This achievement is the result of years of systematic work, strategic planning, and sustained investment in talent development.”

He added: “Our athletes have honed their skills under specialised national expertise through intensive training programmes, high-quality camps, and international competitions.

“Our strategic partnership with Ski Dubai, the principal incubator for winter sports development in the UAE, has played a vital role in refining capabilities in line with the highest international standards.”

He concluded: “The UAE Winter Sports Federation will continue its efforts to develop the sport and strengthen the UAE’s standing on the international stage, guided by a vision to raise the nation’s flag at global events and inspire future generations to pursue excellence.”

Mohammad El Etri, Chief Operating Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Group, said: “Alexander Astridge’s qualification for Milano Cortina 2026 reflects the outcome of a decade of strategic investment in the UAE’s winter sports ecosystem. The journey of an athlete who began on the slopes of Ski Dubai at the age of three and now prepares to compete on the world stage demonstrates what can be achieved when ambitious vision aligns with world-class infrastructure.”