African athletes have blazed a trail at Winter Olympics for over 60 years

Lamine Gueye of Senegal competes in the Men's Giant Slalom ski race at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games on 18 February 1992 at Val d'Isere, France. © Getty Images - David Madison

Athletes from around the world are in the Italian Alps for the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday – including 13 sportspeople from eight African countries. Though the continent isn't associated with winter sports, Africa has been a constant and growing presence at the Games since 1960.

While the African continent is well represented at the Summer Olympics, it is a different story at the Winter Games.