From Crowdfunding to the Olympics: A Skier's Unlikely Journey
At 30, Samuel Ikpefan is rewriting winter sports history as Nigeria's first cross-country skier to compete in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics – an extraordinary feat for an athlete from a tropical nation with zero natural snow. The Lagos-born skier first strapped on boots at age six during a family trip to the French Alps, sparking a lifelong passion.
With no government funding or local infrastructure, Ikpefan turned to digital crowdsourcing platforms to finance his Olympic dream. His campaign raised funds for equipment and enabled training stints in European snowfields. 'Every kilometer logged in France or Switzerland felt like a victory,' he told myglobalnews.net.
Redefining Winter Sports Boundaries
Ikpefan's participation marks a milestone for global sports inclusion, proving winter athletics aren't exclusive to snow-rich nations. Data shows only 15% of Winter Olympians historically come from tropical regions. 'This isn't just my race – it's about showing Africa's potential,' said the athlete, who now trains aspiring skiers in Nigeria through virtual coaching platforms.
As the world watches Beijing 2022, Ikpefan's journey embodies Olympic spirit: 'No snow? No problem. With determination, nothing is impossible.'
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
