UAE makes historic Winter Olympic debut

The UAE marked a historic milestone in its sporting journey with its first participation in the Olympic Winter Games at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, held from Feb.6 to 22 and featuring around 2,900 athletes competing in 114 medal events across eight sports and 16 disciplines.

Pira Hudson, representing the UAE national ski team, competed in the women’s alpine skiing giant slalom, recording a time of 1:08.1 in the first run. The discipline is among the most technically demanding on the Olympic programme, requiring exceptional edge control and rapid turning precision.

The event saw Italy’s Federica Brignone take gold, Sweden’s Sara Hector secure silver, and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund claim bronze.

Hudson is scheduled to continue her participation in the slalom event next Wednesday at the Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Meanwhile, Alexander Astridge competed in the men’s alpine skiing event alongside 96 athletes, confirming the UAE’s presence in both the men’s and women’s categories at the Games.

Juma Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the UAE Winter Sports Federation, said the UAE’s participation in the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening its international presence in winter sports and showcasing national talent across disciplines, adding that competing in the Women’s Giant Slalom represents a landmark moment in the history of winter sports in the UAE.

Hudson expressed her pride in representing the UAE at the global event, noting that commitment, hard work and continuous development define belonging, and that wearing the national emblem carries a responsibility she values as she strives to deliver a performance reflecting the trust and support she has received.

Ibrahim Khadem, Board Member of the UAE Winter Sports Federation, said the participation of Team UAE reflects the country’s dedication to developing winter sports despite climatic challenges, highlighting that it is the outcome of advanced preparation and training programmes designed to enhance athletes’ readiness for international competition and to reinforce the UAE’s global sporting presence.

Astridge added that his journey in skiing began in the UAE, where he learned the sport and developed values of commitment and respect, describing representing the country as both a responsibility and an honour and noting that his Olympic participation is a story that started at home.

Games pressure led to inevitable crash, says Malinin: Ilia Malinin on Monday said his pressure-packed Olympic debut resulted in an ‘inevitable crash’ and suggested he would release more details about his experience on Saturday, when he will participate in a skating exhibition in Milan. The 21-year-old American came into the Games surrounded by huge hype as the heavy favourite to win gold in the men’s event, but that dream unravelled in spectacular fashion when he fell twice and struggled with other jumps to finish a shocking eighth in one of the greatest upsets in Olympic figure skating history.

The two-time world champion posted a video on social media on Monday showing his happiest moments in competition set to gentle piano music interspersed with jarring cuts to a black-and-white shot of him with his head in his hands.

Malinin revealed he had been subjected to online abuse.