Cross country skiing competitor, Samuel Ikpefan is making history in Milan, Italy as Nigeria’s lone competitor in the country’s fourth consecutive appearance at the Winter Olympic Games, Sports247 reports.
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The presence of Ikpefan has made it possible for Nigeria’s presence to be felt at the Milano Cortina Games, thereby keeping alive a remarkable streak that began when the country debuted at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea.
A media statement by Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) disclosed that, in the historic first appearance at the Winter Games, rhe nation’s athletes competed in two events.
Back then, the nation was represented in Bobsleigh by Seun Adigun and her two brake women, and in Skeleton by Simidele Adeagbo, which generated significant international attention and marked a new chapter for Nigerian sports.
Continuing this winter sports journey, Ikpefan first represented Nigeria at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and he is back again competing at the ongoing 2026 Games in Milan, Italy.
Originally from Edo State, Ikpefan resides in France, from where he moved to the current Games, scheduled to run from February 6 to February 22, 2026, in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
In preparation for the Games, he strategically moved his training to Switzerland, seeking optimal conditions to hone his skills and declared that he feels better than he was at the last Olympics.
Drawing on the experience gained during his first time competing in Beijing in 2022, Ikpefan remains realistic about his medal prospects, he is fully committed to delivering his best performance on the snow.
His dedication and perseverance continue to inspire, showcasing Nigeria’s growing presence in the diverse world of winter sports, but Ikpefan is the only one flying the country’s flag in Milan.
Unfortunately, Simidele Adeagbo, a monobob athlete in Bobsled and Skeleton, did not qualify because International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation only approved qualification points of 1-25 to participate.
The NOC’s official accompanying Team Nigeria in Milano, Mrs Kemi Obidahunsi said Ikpefan is the country’s lone athlete who made it to the Games based on continental qualifications.
The press statement added, “We have only eight Africans across different sports disciplines at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) president, Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel, is head of the delegation.”
