When Samuel Ikpefan finally marched into the National Stadium for the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2022, it felt like history closing a long, emotional circle.
Nigeria’s first-ever Winter Olympic skiing representative had missed the Opening Ceremony after testing positive for COVID-19. So sharing that final parade with athletes from around the world carried extra weight—for him, and for Africa’s most populous nation.
“Riding the high-speed train with athletes from all nations and sharing that magical moment was unforgettable,” Ikpefan told Olympics.com. He was Nigeria’s lone competitor at the Games, carrying the flag—and expectations—alone.
Ikpefan’s Olympic baptism was anything but smooth. A positive COVID-19 test just days before his first race forced him into isolation—three days confined to his room, followed by two more in a hotel for severe cases.
“I was in perfect health, so it was frightening,” he recalled. Released only two days before the competition, he had no time to acclimatise. He eventually abandoned the 15km classic race after burning too much energy early.
“It was a tough experience, but it taught me mental resilience.”
That resilience now fuels his push toward Milano Cortina 2026, where the 32-year-old France-born skier is determined to make a fuller statement.
“My goal is to compete in all individual cross-country events and give my absolute best—push my limits, maximise my capabilities, and proudly represent Nigeria while learning from the world’s toughest competition.”
Life beyond the Olympic tracks
After Beijing, Ikpefan channelled his energy into growth—both personal and communal. He began coaching and mentoring young skiers, staying close to the sport even as sponsorships and team support dried up.
“The journey hasn’t changed drastically, but the challenges have grown,” he said. “I continue to train with determination and keep my goals in sight.”
For Ikpefan, cross-country skiing is more than medals and results. It is a philosophy.
It’s physically and mentally demanding. It teaches determination, humility and self-improvement. It connects you with nature and unites athletes from different backgrounds.”
That bond with skiing began early. Growing up near Annemasse in France, he started racing at seven or eight, drawn by the sport’s endurance demands and mental intensity.
Ikpefan’s athletic identity stretches far beyond skis. He swims, cycles, plays football, runs mountain trails and recently returned to tennis. At 15, he finished third in France’s national swimming championships in the 100m backstroke, while also competing in judo and football.
“These experiences shaped my discipline and mindset,” he said.
Off the field, he nurtures a broad curiosity—reading, visiting museums, cooking, playing board games, and exploring geopolitics and business ideas.
Opening doors for Nigeria
Ikpefan sees the Winter Olympics as sport at its purest.
“For two weeks, the magic of our inner child resurfaces. It’s a global celebration of humanity.”
But inspiring young Nigerians to take up skiing is no small task. Infrastructure is scarce, systems are thin, and winter sports remain culturally distant.
“My long-term goal is to make skiing more accessible to Nigerian youth, at home and abroad,” he said. “There are obstacles, but my journey shows that nothing is impossible.”
That belief is reinforced by support from Olympic Solidarity, which currently backs hundreds of athletes worldwide—Ikpefan among them—on the road to Milano Cortina 2026 through monthly training grants.
Being Nigeria’s first Olympic skier is a responsibility Ikpefan carries with pride.
“Representing a country rich in culture and diversity is a responsibility I cherish. It’s a way to honour my ancestors and inspire future generations.”
Medals, he admits, are hard for African athletes in winter sports—but not impossible.
“With the right systems, resources and determination, success is within reach.”
As the countdown to Milano Cortina 2026 gathers pace, Samuel Ikpefan is chasing more than results. He is carving a pathway—on snow and beyond—for Nigerians who may one day follow his tracks into winter’s rarefied world.
