Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Eritrea will have one athlete each, while Madagascar, Morocco and Kenya will field two. South Africa will have the continent’s largest delegation, with five.
Ikpefan, the first Nigerian to compete at the Winter Games, will compete in the 10-km freestyle and the sprint classic events, and wants to be a role-model for others from non-traditional winter sports nations as one of the handful of athletes from Africa to compete at the 2026 Games.
“I do feel a certain responsibility (representing Africa), but I see it as something positive,” Ikpefan told Flashscore. “Representation matters. If my journey can inspire young athletes of African heritage to believe that winter sports are accessible to them, then it’s already a success.
“To encourage more participation, we need visibility, role models, and better access to existing structures. Many athletes already live in countries with strong winter sports systems, it’s about opening doors and changing perceptions.”
Ikpefan, whose father is from Edo State in Nigeria, was born in Haute-Savoie in France to a French mother. Given that we now live in a global village where it is not uncommon for people to move to a new life in a new country, there are sure to be other ‘Ikpefans’ out there.
“Being raised in the Alps, winter sports were a natural part of my environment,” he says. “I discovered cross-country skiing at a young age, initially as a passion for being outdoors and staying active. Over time, this passion evolved into competitive skiing, and I progressed through regional, national, and eventually international competitions.
“Skiing has played a major role in shaping who I am, teaching me discipline, resilience, and consistency.”
He says it was his idea to represent Nigeria internationally and something he actively pursued.
“Given my Nigerian heritage through my father, representing Nigeria felt meaningful and authentic,” he says. “I wanted to compete at the highest level while also representing a country that is still developing in winter sports.
“After discussions with the Nigerian federation and ensuring everything was aligned administratively and sportingly, the opportunity became official.”
This will not be Ikpefan’s first Winter Games. He also competed at Beijing 2022 but having contracted the COVID-19 virus in the build-up, was not in good physical shape to compete, even though he tried.
He finished 73rd in qualifying for the sprint and did not finish the 15-km classical race. He is expecting much better this time round.
“Beijing 2022 was a very difficult experience due to COVID-19,” he says. “Preparation, logistics, and even the Olympic experience itself were heavily impacted.
“But that experience has become a strong source of motivation for Milano-Cortina. I want to experience the Games in a more complete and normal context, and to perform closer to my true level.”
So what does he see as his realistic goals for Milano-Cortina, and at the age of 34, will this be his last Winter Games?
“It is to deliver strong and consistent performances, and to achieve the best results possible for me on the Olympic stage,” he says. “Beyond rankings, I want to feel that I raced at my true level and represented Nigeria with pride and professionalism.
“Milano Cortina is a major milestone in my career. Right now, my full focus is on preparing for it. After the Games, I will take time to reflect on my physical condition, motivation, and future opportunities. It will naturally be a moment to reassess the next chapter.”
If he does call time on his career, it will give him an opportunity to follow his other passions, which includes helping athletes reach their full potential.
“I am involved in coaching and athlete development. I enjoy sharing my experience and helping younger athletes grow, both technically and mentally,” he says. “In the long term, I would like to stay involved in sport, whether through coaching, development programs, or contributing to the growth of cross-country skiing in emerging nations.”