Nicosia: Cyprus will be represented by two athletes at the 25th Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina 2026, marking the first time in 12 years that the nation will send both a male and a female competitor to the prestigious event. The announcement was made during a presentation at the Olympic Hall, attended by notable figures, including Italian Ambassador to Cyprus, Antonella Cavallari.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the athletes representing Cyprus are Yiannos Kouyioumdjian, who will compete in the Giant Slalom and Technical Slalom, and Andrea Loizidou, who will participate in the Technical Downhill event. The Cypriot delegation is set to depart for Italy on February 4, with travel arrangements meticulously planned for the teams competing in Livigno/Bormio and Cortina.
The President of the Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC), Georgios Chrysostomou, highlighted the significance of Cyprus's participation with two athletes, acknowledging the hard work of the Cyprus Ski Federation and its stakeholders. He emphasized the importance of the athletes' qualifications, which reflect the country's commitment to providing equal opportunities and support for all sports.
Chrysostomou also noted the financial challenges faced by the Ski Federation, with the total cost of participation estimated at around 30,000 pounds. Meanwhile, Italian Ambassador Cavallari praised the athletes for their achievements, recognizing the challenges they face coming from a country not known for snowy conditions.
Dinos Lefkaritis, President of the Cyprus Ski Federation, expressed gratitude for the support from the COC and acknowledged the crucial role of the athletes' parents in their success. He celebrated Cyprus's ability to achieve remarkable feats in sports despite being a small nation.
Andrea Loizidou, representing the Limassol Ski Club, expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to compete in the Olympics, attributing her success to years of dedication and the support of her family and the COC. Yiannos Kouyioumdjian, a member of the Nicosia Ski Club and the National Team since 2008, also expressed appreciation for the Federation's efforts and looked forward to his second Olympic appearance.
The Cypriot mission, led by Andreas Eleftheriou, will include six members: the two athletes, two coaches, and an accompanying person. The delegation is set to showcase Cyprus's sporting spirit on the world stage in Milan-Cortina.