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.
France is a top global destination for skiing, with over 600 ski resorts and 10,000 installations across the Alps.
About 120 million tourists visit the French Alps, including 55 million skiers.
You may wonder what this large mountain range in the middle of Europe has to do with Kenya.
Well, Kenya’s sole representative to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy, Issa Gachingiri Laborde, was born in this famous mountain range 18 years ago and learned his trade in this very same geography.
It felt surreal to see the young Kenyan, in an entourage of only three, waving the Kenyan flag at the athletes' parade during the Games' opening ceremony at Livigno on Friday night.
Laborde, born to a Kenyan mother, Josephine Nyokabi, and French father Larbode, will be Kenya's only competitor at the Milano Cortina Games after history-making Sabrina Simader withdrew, citing financial constraints.
Kenyan skier Sabrina Wanjiku Simader.
“I might have competed at the Winter Youth Olympics, but flying the flag at the main Winter Olympics feels so unreal. It’s a dream that has come too early. I am still shell-shocked but really proud to be an Olympian and to represent Kenya,” said Larbode in a Zoom meeting this week that was attended by his parents and NOC-K officials.
The teenage Kenyan will compete in the men’s giant slalom on Saturday.
Larbode described carrying the Kenyan flag as a special moment not only for himself and his family but also for the country, as he felt he was carrying the weight of more than 50 million Kenyans.
“I took it with much pride, and I want to thank my family and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya for their immense support,” said Larbode, who represented Kenya at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, in South Korea, where he competed in all four alpine skiing events -- downhill, giant slalom, slalom, and super-G.
Kenyan Olympian Issa Laborde in action at Vaujany ski Resort, France where he trains. Pool
Larbode, who learnt skiing at the age of three under the watchful eyes of his father, who is a ski patrol rescuer, vowed to put his best foot forward for good results.
Larbode said that he has received immense support from NOC-K through the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity funding that enables him to prepare for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
He added that were it not for the support from his parents and coach, Valtadoros Alexandre, he couldn’t have come this far.
Larbode said his dream is not only to win a medal at the Olympics one day but also to introduce skiing to African countries and share his story. “I want to promote my flag and to showcase my passion for alpine skiing in places where this sport is less known,” he said.
Larbode’s father noted that competing at the senior Olympics for his son may have come early despite having started competitive skiing at the age of five years.
“It shows how hardworking the young man is, and I am super proud of him for competing for Kenya. This is a big moment for us and the country,” said his French father.
Nyokabi appreciated the support NOC-K has given his son and the opportunity to compete for the country as NOC-K president Shadrack Maluki told Larbode to compete with pride, knowing that Kenya stands behind him.
“We are proud of you as you carry the hopes and aspirations of a nation,” said Maluki in a message read by his deputy Barnaba Korir.
Philip Boit, the Chef De Mission for Team Kenya to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, predicted that Larbode will start winning medals for Kenya after two Olympics.
“Larbode has the skills. What he requires is more exposure. We can’t demand much from the young man who has a bright future in the sport,” said Boit, the first Kenyan to compete at the Winter Olympics.
Boit competed in cross-country skiing at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. He also competed at the 2002 Salt Lake and 2006 Turin Games.
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