The Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOC) has officially presented the team that will represent the country at the Winter Olympic Games “Milano Cortina 2026”. Skiers Kiana Kryeziu and Drin Kokaj will carry Kosovo’s flag at this major sporting event, but their success comes against a backdrop of challenges and a strong appeal for investment in winter sports infrastructure in the country.
The President of the Kosovo Ski Federation, Milaim Kelmendi, said that the lack of adequate sports infrastructure since the post-war period has hindered the development of athletes in Kosovo. Otherwise, according to him, Kosovo would be represented by more skiers at such competitions.
“They are well prepared, they have spent many days on snow, but mostly in other countries. And all those financial resources have gone there, meaning for their preparation. Knowing that we do not have such infrastructure to further raise the quality of these athletes, it is inevitable that with new infrastructure that may come, God willing, we would go with two, four, six, or even more athletes, because we would have the opportunity to practice this sport here in our own country. Infrastructure is what has penalized us since the end of the war until now, leaving Kosovo represented by only two athletes. If we build proper infrastructure in Kosovo, then I believe we will have more competitors present in future Olympic Games,” Kelmendi emphasized.
This appeal was echoed by the President of the KOC, Ismet Krasniqi, who called on the Government of Kosovo to take urgent steps to invest in Brezovica — a location where local skiers could both prepare and host high-level competitions.
“Kiana will represent us in three disciplines and Drin in one. This means that Kosovo, at the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, will be present in global media for four consecutive days. I believe this has a very positive impact for our country, for our government, for our state as a young country that has a great need for such promotion. And this is best achieved through sport… I call on the Government of Kosovo to urgently take measures so that Brezovica, a very important asset of Kosovo, is not neglected. We need investment in sports infrastructure there — not only for our athletes, but also to host competitors from the region, so they can train and compete there, instead of sending money abroad when we have our own country here in Kosovo,” Krasniqi stated.
Kosovo’s participation with two athletes at “Milano Cortina 2026” is considered a major success, while calls continue for the talent and sacrifices of athletes to be supported by a strategic vision and concrete state investments to ensure a bright future for winter sports in Kosovo.
