Kosovo is preparing to participate in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, held from February 6 to 22, with a small but ambitious team, representing the country in alpine disciplines and aiming for better results than in previous editions. The Olympic Committee of Kosovo and the Skiing Federation have invested in intensive training and continuous support for the athletes, while the athletes themselves express motivation and readiness for this major challenge.
At a press conference, Ismet Krasniqi, President of the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, emphasized the strategic importance of participation in the Winter Games and the ongoing commitment of the OKK to support athletes by providing resources and programs that help them prepare at their maximum potential.
“These Winter Games are very important for the Olympic Committee of Kosovo and for all our athletes. As you know, Kosovo is represented by two athletes… Kiana Kryeziu, who will compete in three alpine disciplines, and Drin, who, together with his coach Agim Popoci and Kiana’s coach Visar Kryeziu… Over the years, together with the Skiing Federation, we have tried to support our athletes with Olympic scholarships and training camps, which we know are not easy at all,” Krasniqi said.
Milaim Kelmendi, President of the Skiing Federation, assessed the professional preparation of the athletes, highlighting the experience and intensive training that places Kosovo’s team at a more competitive level than ever before.
“Never in the history of Kosovo skiing have athletes been as prepared as they are now going to the Cortina Olympics. So I wish great success to the competitors first of all, and I expect better results than in previous editions. Knowing that they have had many days of training on snow and have never lacked support… I therefore expect the best possible results at this upcoming Olympics,” Kelmendi said.
Alpine skier Kiana Kryeziu, already with Olympic experience from Beijing, shared her personal experience and expectations for her performance in three alpine disciplines, demonstrating her commitment and ambition to represent Kosovo at her best.
“More or less, this is a continuation of my career. I was 17 in Beijing, where I competed in only one discipline, the Giant Slalom. Now, after four years, a lot of work and dedication, I have enabled myself to compete in three disciplines. Everything is the result of hard work, dedication, and constant support. I expect good results from myself, a much better performance than last time, and a dignified representation of the country,” Kryeziu said.
Drin Kokaj, making his debut at a Winter Olympics, described the challenges and difficulties of qualifying, showing his determination and hope to deliver a world-class performance for Kosovo.
“For me, the Milano Cortina Olympic Games is the first time I will represent Kosovo at the world’s biggest event. This Olympic journey has been more difficult because qualifying for the Olympics was set by the International Federation with stricter standards than in previous editions. In other words, the requirements were tighter, and we had to prove the level we are capable of for this Olympics. I have done that, and I hope our representation will be at the highest possible world level,” Kokaj stated.
Kiana Kryeziu also represented Kosovo at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, while Milano Cortina 2026 will be Drin Kokaj’s first Olympic appearance.
