South Africa are set to be the best-represented African country at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics (Feb. 6-22), with five athletes expected to participate among a total 13 from the continent.

There is no legal way to watch the Winter Olympics in South Africa, which leaves local fans no option but to do without, or engage in stream piracy.

More than 3500 athletes from 93 countries will be competing for 195 medals at the Milan-Cortina Games. Three countries will be making their Winter Olympic debuts at the 2026 Games, the African nations of Benin and Guinea Bissau along with the United Arab Emirates.

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,

South Africa has sent its largest team to the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, since 1960. Team South Africa includes two teenagers, Thomas Weir (17) and Lara Marthaler (18), both of whom will compete in Alpine Skiing at the Winter Games which starts on Friday.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has announced Matthew Smith and Nicole Burger as the flagbearers for Team SA for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Five South African athletes will take part in the nations parade along the Corso Italia pedestrian street in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Cross-country skier Matthew Smith and skeleton athlete Nicole Burger will carry the South African flag at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

South Africa fields its largest Winter Olympics team ever at Milano Cortina 2026, showcasing rising talent in winter sports and challenging global perceptions.

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, northern Italy, will take place on Friday night.

One of South African cross-country skier Matt Smith’s inspiring quotes we often hear is: “It is no longer enough just to be a good athlete for results. You need to also have results off the course.”Ov

Winter Olympics Milan-Cortina dates, venues, events, athletes, sports, schedule and costs as Italy hosts the Winter Games across multiple cities.

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are underway after the lighting of the Olympic cauldrons and the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony.