For these nations, the choice of the flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics was very constrained. With only one representative, it was even non-existent. In total, 16 of the 92 delegations present in Milan-Cortina came with only one competitor. Among them, countries unaccustomed to the Winter Olympics such as Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, Malta and Venezuela.
With 14 representatives for eight countries, the African continent is inevitably affected by this. Alpine skier Nathan Tchibozo will, for example, be the only competitor from Benin, who is participating in the Winter Games for the first time. It will also be a great first for Guinea-Bissau, which hopes to see Winston Tang, of American and Taiwanese origin, shine in slalom. In Nigeria, it is towards cross-country skiing and Samuel Ikpefan that all eyes will be turned. Eritrea also has just one qualifier, skier Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda.
In Central and South America, six countries are part of this club of single-qualifiers. We find Bolivia of cross-country skier Timo Juhani Grönlund, Uruguay of slalomer Nicolas Pirozzi, Colombia of cross-country skier Fredrik Fodstad, Ecuador of cross-country skier Klaus Jungluth, Puerto Rico of skeleton specialist Kellie Delka and Venezuela of cross-country skier Nicolas Claveau-Laviolette, who grew up in Canada.
The United States far ahead with 233 competitors
38th in the giant slalom during the 2022 Olympics at just 17 years old, Aruwin Salehhuddin will represent Malaysia again and will be the only one. Already flag bearer in 2014, 2018 and 2022, alpine skier Muhammad Karim will be again for Pakistan since he has no compatriot at his side. Same observation for Faiz Basha, who will become the first skier from Singapore to compete in the Winter Olympic Games.
Despite its supremacy in winter sports with almost 1,900 athletes, Europe also has three nations with only one competitor: Malta, Monaco and San Marino. The Maltese is Jenny Axisa Eriksen, who will compete in the 10 km freestyle in cross-country skiing, while Rafael Mini will participate in the slalom and giant slalom under the colors of San Marino. Finally, Monegasque Arnaud Alessandria will roam the slopes of Bormio during the downhill and Super-G.
With two representatives, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Haiti, the United Arab Emirates or the Philippines have barely more chances of standing out. Their delegation during the opening ceremony this Friday evening will in any case be much weaker than the United States and its 233 athletes.
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