Least represented countries in the 2026 Olympics

17 countries have just one athlete competing in the Winter Olympics. Most of these countries are in or near Africa and South America, with warm climates that have never recorded snowfall.

Guinea-Bissau, Benin and the United Arab Emirates are competing in the Winter Olympics for the first time this year. Guinea-Bissau and Benin each have one athlete, and the UAE has two.

Benin, the West African country bordering Nigeria, made its Winter Olympic debut with Nathan Tchibozo as its sole athlete.

The 21-year-old skier competed in the men’s slalom and the giant slalom. He made his debut on February 14, finishing 48th in the giant slalom. Tchibozo recorded a DNF in the slalom event two days later.

Although his performances were nothing spectacular, his mere participation was a huge win for Tchibozo and his entire country. He acted as flag bearer during the opening ceremonies, leading Benin into its first Winter Olympics.

Winston Tang did the same for Guinea-Bissau, bearing the flag and representing them in the Winter Olympics for the first time ever. The alpine skier competed in the men’s slalom, but recorded a DNF.

Brazil, which has 14 athletes, is still one of the least represented countries and has never won a medal in these games. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen changed that on February 14 when he won gold in the men’s giant slalom.

Pinheiro Braathen was also a flag bearer for Brazil in his second Winter Olympic appearance. Although he recorded a DNF in the men’s slalom, he still made history as the first medal winner ever for Brazil, making it even sweeter with the gold.

Another notable country in its second Winter Olympics is Haiti. Represented by just two skiers spanning five events, Haiti often drums up international support. Although they have not reached the podium, their participation is a huge win for their country and culture.

The Jamaican bobsleigh team is also typically a popular team, regardless of home country, largely thanks to a box-office hit movie inspired by the team that made Jamaica's debut nearly 40 years ago. Jamaica has six athletes competing this year, five of whom are bobsledders. The sole woman, Mica Moore, competes in monobob, while Henri Rivers IV competes in men’s slalom, with the remaining four athletes competing in bobsleigh.

Despite their popularity, Jamaica has never won a bobsleigh medal. This year’s four-man team has the potential to be the first.

For most of these countries, Olympic glory does not come from standing on a podium. It comes from the ability and platform to represent their countries on the largest athletic stage. Every athlete faces immense challenges to become an Olympian, but for those blazing the trail for their country, they’ve already won.

Full list of single-athlete countries:

Benin- debut; Bolivia; Colombia; Ecuador; Eritrea; Guinea-Bissau- debut; Kenya; Malaysia; Malta; Monaco; Nigeria; Pakistan; Puerto Rico; San Marino; Singapore; Uruguay; Venezuela

Jenny Karamus is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email jrk6308@psu.edu.