The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the UAE in cooperation with the UAE Winter Sports Federation and Ski Dubai, on Sunday honoured the athletes

• Let the games begin: Italian President Sergio Mattarella declared the 2026 Winter Olympics open. Two cauldrons — one in Milan and one in Cortina — have been lit, marking a first in the Winter Games’ history.

The route plotted by British-born Alex Astridge all the way to the Games in Milan and Cortina is one that makes Dave Ryding’s rise from a dry slope in Pendle appear positively alpine by comparison. Jostle past 600 retail outlets offering everything from Rolex watches to luxury lingerie and you reach Ski Dubai,

There are 206 National Olympic Committees worldwide, which are devised by the IOC and the International Sport Federation. These two organizations are the sole authorities who come together to recognize NOCs for the official Summer and Winter Games.

It’s amazing for all the kids back in Ski Dubai because they can see that there's a pathway and there's an end goal."

Alex Astridge and Piera Hudson to fly flag for Emirates in Alpine skiing events at February's Games in Italy

2026 Winter Olympics: For the first time in Olympic history, the Winter Games will be jointly hosted by two cities separated by more than 250 miles. Milan, Italy’s economic and cultural centre, will host the opening ceremony and stage the ice events.