Historic Debut for the International Ski Mountaineering Federation at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games
The Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) proudly congratulates the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), a valued member of ARISF, on its historic participation at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Included as the first additional sport in the Olympic Winter Games, ski mountaineering featured three medal events, Men’s Sprint, Women’s Sprint and Mixed Relay, with 36 athletes (18 women and 18 men). The competitions were held in Bormio on 19 and 21 February 2026, delivered through a compact and dynamic format adapted to the Olympic programme. This successful integration establishes important technical, logistical and competition standards that will serve as a reference for future editions.
The Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) proudly congratulates the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), a valued member of ARISF, on its historic participation at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Included as the first additional sport in the Olympic Winter Games, ski mountaineering featured three medal events, Men’s Sprint, Women’s Sprint and Mixed Relay, with 36 athletes (18 women and 18 men). The competitions were held in Bormio on 19 and 21 February 2026, delivered through a compact and dynamic format adapted to the Olympic programme. This successful integration establishes important technical, logistical and competition standards that will serve as a reference for future editions.
The inaugural Olympic titles were awarded to Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll (Men’s Sprint), Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton (Women’s Sprint), and the French duo Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet (Mixed Relay), marking a memorable first Olympic chapter for the sport.
Ski mountaineering is a dynamic winter discipline combining endurance, technical precision and the spirit of alpine adventure. Deeply rooted in mountain culture, it offers a broad competition structure, from the explosive intensity of the Sprint and Mixed Relay to the endurance-focused Individual, Vertical and Team races.
At the heart of ISMF’s work are its athletes. In close collaboration with national federations, event organisers and international partners, the Federation continues to strengthen athlete pathways and provide structured opportunities for progression from youth to elite level, ensuring the sustainable development of the sport worldwide.
ARISF warmly congratulates ISMF, its leadership, officials and, above all, the athletes for achieving this important milestone within the Olympic Movement.
This milestone reflects years of structured development, strong governance and collective commitment across the global ski mountaineering community. The successful Olympic debut of the sport marks an important moment in ISMF’s history and we sincerely hope that it represents the beginning of a lasting journey within the Olympic Winter Games, building upon the foundations established in Milano Cortina.
As the Olympic sport programme continues to evolve, more opportunities are emerging for ARISF’s membership. While the Olympic Movement awaits further clarity on the forthcoming “Fit for Future” strategy to be presented at the next IOC Session scheduled for 23–25 June, ARISF will actively engage in dialogue with the IOC to help maximise future opportunities. At the same time, ARISF will continue to support its members through targeted services, ensuring they are fully prepared and Olympic-ready.
