NIGERIA’S CROSS-COUNTRY SKIER SAMUEL IKPEFAN EYES MILANO CORTINA 2026 AFTER HISTORIC BEIJING 2022 DEBUT
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
When the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics drew to a close, Samuel Ikpefan finally had his Olympic moment—marching in the closing parade, draped in Nigeria’s green and white, representing a nation unfamiliar with snow but rich in ambition.
Ikpefan, 33, made history as Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic cross-country skier, overcoming numerous challenges to compete on winter sport’s grandest stage. His debut was disrupted by a positive COVID-19 test just days before his first race, forcing him into isolation for five days. Released only two days before competition, he had little time to acclimatize, finishing 73rd in the men’s sprint free and withdrawing from the 15km classic after expending too much energy early.
Despite these setbacks, Ikpefan’s debut added a new chapter to Nigeria’s Winter Olympics story, which began in 2018 with bobsleigh and skeleton. Since Beijing, he has carried the nation’s winter sporting hopes alone, coaching young athletes and remaining committed to cross-country skiing even amid sponsorship challenges and limited team support.
Looking ahead, Ikpefan is preparing for Milano Cortina 2026, aiming to compete in all individual cross-country skiing events and push his limits on Olympic snow. He will once again be Nigeria’s sole representative, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to compete at two Winter Olympic Games.
A natural all-around athlete, Ikpefan’s sporting résumé spans swimming, cycling, mountain running, football, judo, and tennis. At 15, he placed third in the French national swimming championships (100m backstroke), and his diverse athletic background has shaped his discipline and mindset. Off the field, he enjoys reading, museums, cooking, board games, and exploring geopolitics and business.
Ikpefan benefits from Olympic Solidarity, a programme that funds training and qualification for athletes from under-resourced nations, allowing him to train at high-level centres and stay competitive internationally.
His record at the FIS Nordic World Championships includes consistent participation in sprint and distance events across Oberstdorf 2021, Planica 2023, and Trondheim 2025. Across World Cup seasons since 2018, he has recorded steady finishes in sprint and distance events up to 15km, demonstrating persistence and durability despite challenging conditions.
For Ikpefan, Milano Cortina 2026 represents more than results—it embodies possibility, resilience, and the chance to continue inspiring Nigerians in a sport far removed from the country’s traditional athletic landscape.
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