South African cross-country skier Matt Smith has qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in just two years, despite coming from a non-traditional skiing nation. He recently confronted critics who questioned the quota system allowing athletes like him to compete. Smith emphasizes the importance of global participation in growing the sport.
Matt Smith, a 35-year-old South African nicknamed the 'Snowbok,' moved to Oslo, Norway, in 2022 to pursue cross-country skiing. With a background in cricket, rugby, and triathlons, he trained rigorously despite limited resources typical for athletes from non-snowy countries. His qualification came at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, where he fell early, chipped his ski edge, borrowed a pole from a stranger, and finished four minutes behind the winner—within the required five-minute margin.
'What I thought to myself in that moment was, this was never meant to be easy, was it?' Smith recalled. He described the two-year journey as one where he gave everything, finishing the race at peace.
Recently, Smith addressed criticism from Nordic skiers Mika Vermeulen and James Clugnet on their podcast 'Skirious Problems,' aired on 6 January. They complained about the International Ski and Snowboard Federation's quota system, which they said favors 'smaller' and 'exotic' nations. 'It’s tough to see that they [FIS] prioritise these countries over us,' Vermeulen said.
In an Instagram video, Smith highlighted the challenges: self-funding, balancing day jobs, and scarce community support. 'I wanted to speak up because I see my role as an athlete and also as a role model,' he told Daily Maverick. 'There are little kids listening and watching… and whether they realise it or not, they’re absorbing our behaviours, our language.'
He joined the podcasters for a discussion, aiming to unite rather than defend. 'I wasn’t there to defend,' Smith said. 'I was there to co-create and unite around the sport as opposed to pitting it against elite nations [and] developing nations.' While they advocated expanding skiing in established markets, Smith pushed for universality. 'The reality is, if we want this sport to grow and become bigger, we can’t be siloed into the northern hemisphere,' he argued.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Games approach from 6 to 22 February—his race on 13 February—Smith focuses on training with skis, intervals, strength work, and mental preparation through visualization. 'My goal for the Olympics and every athlete’s goal should be to arrive on the day of the race, to be the happiest, healthiest and best version of yourself, ready to race the best race of your life.'
