The Spanish team at the 2026 Winter Olympics finds itself in the spotlight not only because of its ambitions, but also thanks to its unexpected lineup. This time, the country is relying on both young and seasoned athletes capable of changing perceptions about Spain’s potential in winter sports. In Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, a true battle for medals has unfolded, where every second and every jump could make history.
Unlike previous years, this delegation appears the most balanced yet. The team includes 20 athletes representing six disciplines. This is not just a chance for Spain to add to its modest medal tally, but also an opportunity to make its mark on the world stage. The 2026 Olympics have become an arena where Spanish athletes’ ambitions meet reality, and fans’ expectations collide with fierce competition.
Organization and Venues
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are being held in northern Italy, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo hosting the main competitions. The tournament is organized on a grand scale: not only major cities are involved, but also mountain resorts such as Bormio, Livigno, Anterselva, and Val di Fiemme. This approach allowed organizers to use existing infrastructure and minimize the environmental footprint, which became an important argument in their favor.
Milan has become the center for ice disciplines and ceremonies, while Cortina d’Ampezzo serves as the venue for women’s alpine skiing and sledding events. The remaining locations have divided among themselves the competitions in cross-country skiing, biathlon, and snowboarding. This distribution has lent the Olympics a unique character and given athletes the opportunity to compete on some of Europe’s best tracks.
Spanish national team
The Spanish delegation includes both renowned stars and newcomers. In alpine skiing, attention is focused on Quim Salarich, already an Olympic regular, and Arrieta Rodriguez, who continues to gain momentum in European tournaments. In cross-country skiing, Jaume Pueyo stands out for achieving the best results among Spaniards at elite events, alongside Bernat Sellés and Marc Colell, who are just starting their journey at the top level.
Snowboarding is traditionally considered one of Spain’s strong suits. Queralt Castellet, the Beijing Olympic silver medalist, is back in action and ready to impress. Lucas Eguibar, world champion and World Cup winner, is dreaming of a long-awaited medal. The young generation is represented by Alvaro Romero and Nora Cornell, who have already made a name for themselves at junior championships.
Figure skating and speed skating
In figure skating, Spain is betting on the duo of Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck, as well as Sofia Val with Asaf Kazimov. Thomas Guarino, a six-time national champion, will compete in singles. In speed skating, all eyes are on Nil Llop and Daniel Milagros, who have recently switched from inline skating to the ice and are already showing impressive results.
These athletes are not only striving for personal achievements but are also shaping a new image for Spanish winter sports. Their successes have the potential to inspire a new generation and change attitudes toward winter disciplines in a country where football has traditionally dominated.
Medal History
Spain is not among the leaders in terms of Olympic medals in winter sports. Throughout its history, the country has earned only five medals, each of them a true milestone. The first gold was claimed by Francisco Fernandez Ochoa in 1972, and twenty years later his sister Blanca brought home a bronze. In 2018, two medals at once—a bronze for Regino Hernandez in snowboarding and for Javier Fernandez in figure skating—marked a breakthrough for the Spanish team. The most recent success, Queralt Castellet’s silver in Beijing, cemented Spain’s reputation as a country that can surprise on the winter stage.
Each of these awards is the result of years of hard work and challenging stereotypes. Spanish athletes prove that even with limited resources, outstanding results can be achieved. The 2026 Olympics is a chance for a new wave of athletes to add their names to this brief but impressive list.
Where to watch the Olympics
For Spanish fans, the 2026 Olympics has become a true celebration of sport. All key events are broadcast on national television and are also available online through the RTVE Play platform. Thanks to multiple channels and streams, viewers can follow their favorites live, without missing a single important moment.
This approach not only supports the athletes but also encourages more people to get involved in winter sports. The Olympics becomes more than just a competition—it is an event that unites the country and inspires new achievements.
Queralt Castellet is one of the brightest figures in Spanish sports in recent years. Her path to success began at a young age, when she first stepped on a snowboard. Throughout her career, Castellet has faced injuries and setbacks more than once, but each time she made her way back to the top. Her silver medal in Beijing became not just a personal victory, but a symbol for the entire country. Her perseverance and passion for sports inspire a new generation of athletes, and Castellet herself continues to set an example, maintaining her ambitions even in 2026.
