His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, will head the Saudi Arabian delegation participating in the Milan 2026 Winter Olympic Games. This major global sporting event will officially commence with a grand opening ceremony at the historic San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, featuring elite athletes from around the world.
On this important occasion, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal stated: “The Kingdom’s participation in this global Olympic event is a continuation of the generous support the sports sector receives from our wise leadership – may God protect them – which has contributed to remarkable progress in various sports, including winter sports, which have witnessed rapid growth in recent years in terms of organization, participation, and international representation.” His Highness added: “This participation is a significant milestone in the development of the winter sports system in the Kingdom, as it provides a unique opportunity for Saudi athletes to compete against the world’s best players, thereby enhancing their technical readiness, developing their expertise, and strengthening the Saudi presence on the Olympic stage.”.
Historical background and future aspirations
This participation marks the Kingdom's second appearance in the Winter Olympics, following its historic debut at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, a turning point for Saudi winter sports. This step is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at solidifying the Kingdom's position on the global sports map and aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on diversifying sporting activities and inspiring a new generation of young people to participate in various sports.
Strategic importance and expected impact
The importance of participating in the 2026 Olympics extends beyond the competitive aspect; it also serves as part of the Kingdom's preparations to host the Asian Winter Games "Trogina 2029" in the futuristic city of NEOM. This ambitious project, to be built in the heart of the desert, reflects the Kingdom's bold vision and its ability to achieve the impossible. Participation in Milan-Cortina provides an invaluable opportunity for Saudi athletes and organizers to gain the necessary experience and develop their technical and administrative skills in preparation for hosting this major continental event.
Internationally, this participation enhances the Kingdom's image as a modern and open nation that invests in its youth and supports sports as a means of cultural exchange and building bridges with diverse peoples around the world. It also highlights the significant efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee to establish a robust infrastructure for winter sports and provide top-tier training programs for Saudi athletes to compete at the highest international levels.
