00:00They hail from Kenya, South Africa, Eritrea, Jamaica, Madagascar and Benin
00:05and are all competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
00:10These six skiers were brought together by Henry Rivers, the founder of NBS,
00:15an organization that supports athletes of color and promotes inclusion in winter sports.
00:21We identify, develop and support athletes of color everywhere
00:26to elevate them to a status of elite athleticism.
00:31Without organizations like the NBS, we wouldn't be able to fund some of these athletes.
00:37With only 14 athletes representing eight African countries,
00:42skiers of color remain a minority in the competition.
00:45But Eritrean alpine skier Shannon Aveda says representation has come a long way
00:51since his first participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
00:55Coming here and seeing more was great and getting to know some of the athletes
01:00from the smaller nations, it makes me feel less alone.
01:03But I also wanted to emphasize that the support from the bigger nations has been incredible.
01:08Others were competing for the first time and reveling in the moment,
01:12like 22-year-old Beninese alpine skier Nathan Chiboso.
01:18For me, it's a very proud feeling to represent Benin.
01:21I'm very happy.
01:22It's the first time Benin is present at the Winter Olympics.
01:27African athletes have yet to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.
01:31But for Henry Rivers, it's only a matter of time
01:34before one of them makes it onto the podium.
01:37We're talking about Benin.
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