Kenyan Olympian Issa Laborde in action at Vaujany ski Resort, France where he trains. Pool
He may have made history in the icy Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, but Kenyan teenage skier Issa Laborde believes he has even greater achievements ahead of him.
The 18-year-old has vowed not to relent until he rewrites the history books at the Winter Olympics, where Africa is still searching for its first victory.
Born and raised in the French Alps to a French father and Kenyan mother, Laborde was Kenya’s sole representative at the Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. Despite a tough start, he finished 66th overall out of 81 skiers in the Alpine Skiing giant slalom event, claiming a combined time of 2:52.78 minutes. The event, held on Valentine’s Day, attracted competitors from 62 nations.
Kenya’s France-based Issa Laborde cruises down the hill in a past skiing championships. Laborde will compete at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics scheduled from January 19 to February 1 in Gangwon, South Korea.
Brazil’s 25-year-old Norwegian-born skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen claimed his first Olympic medal with a time of 2:25.00, beating Swiss skiers Marco Odermatt (2:25.58) and Loïc Meillard (2:26.17), who took silver and bronze respectively.
Laborde is now focusing on qualifying for the 2030 Winter Olympics to be held in his home region of the French Alps.
“I lack the words to express how I felt just to finish the event. Mission accomplished, but the 2023 Winter Olympics will be a whole different ball game. It will be in my second home, and I want to make an impression — not as a participant, but as a serious competitor,” he said.
He said that he could only talk about winning medals at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah, USA, if he trains from January to December for the next four years.
“Skiing is expensive. I would like to promote skiing in Africa by setting up programmes in Kenya. We could do well in cross-country skiing and other winter sports, but not necessarily alpine skiing,” said Laborde.
Larborde noted that Africa could achieve this with the support of its governments and the African diaspora. “I take a break from skiing from May to November, but good things can happen if it’s an all-year affair. Now that I am an adult, I can improve my skills and strength through consistent training,” said Larborde.
Issa’s father, Gael Larbode, who is his deputy coach, noted that his son found the downhill start challenging, but managed to push himself to the finish line, which was his main goal.
Flagbearer Issa Gachingiri Laborde Dit Pere of Kenya holds their flag in the athletes parade during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics opening ceremony in Livigno, Italy on February 6, 2026.
“I’m proud of the young man. He’ll become steadier with more training. I want him to develop more skills and strength as he grows in time for the next Olympics,” said the father.
He explained that he spends close to Sh6 million on Larborde’s training each year, as well as Sh765,000 on equipment.
“He is talented, but he needs to develop, and we are fortunate to have represented Kenya,” he said, pointing out that his son’s trainer, Emeric Guerillot of Portugal, managed to finish 39th in 2:39.45 after training all year. “It doesn’t come easily.”
Larborde’s team manager, Josephine Nyokabi, noted that the skier could only win a medal with full-time training that includes quality competition throughout the year. “It was tough for him because of his inexperience,” said Nyokabi, adding that Kenyans in the diaspora need to be encouraged to take up the sport.
National Olympic Committee of Kenya secretary general John Ogolla, who was with Larborde's family in Italy for the games, said Kenya will sign an MoU with France and Japan to explore ways of developing winter sports in Kenya.
Ogolla, who commended Laborde for his achievement, said they will continue to support him through the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity funding.
Josephine Laborde poses for a photo in Brié-et-Angonnes in 2025. She is the mother of French-born Kenyan skier Issa Laborde.
"It will take time, commitment, hard work and funds, but that burden will be eased with support from partners like France and Japan," said Ogolla.
Africa had a record 14 skiers from eight nations competing at Milano Cortina 2026.
This is Africa's largest-ever presence at the Winter Games, with Benin and Guinea-Bissau making their debut.
The countries were South Africa (five athletes), Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and Eritrea. Events include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and skeleton.
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