Portugal will send a trio of athletes to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, marking the country's tenth appearance at the Games. The team features returning cross-country skier José Cabeça and alpine skiing siblings Vanina and Emeric Guerillot. None have medaled before, but they aim to break Portugal's winless streak in winter sports.
Portugal's participation in the Winter Olympics has been modest since its debut in 1984, with nine prior outings yielding no medals. For the 2026 edition in Italy, the nation fields three competitors in cross-country skiing and alpine events, hoping to make history.
José Cabeça, born in Évora, returns after placing 88th in the men's 15km classic at Beijing 2022. He will race in the sprint event on February 10 and the 10km freestyle on February 13.
The Guerillot siblings, who were born in France but compete for Portugal, bring alpine expertise. Vanina, 23, also returns from Beijing, where she finished 43rd in giant slalom and did not complete the slalom. She is scheduled for giant slalom on February 15 and slalom on February 18.
Her brother Emeric, 18, debuts with a busy slate: Super G on February 11—the first Portuguese entry in that discipline since 1994—followed by giant slalom on February 14 and slalom on February 16.
Pedro Flávio, president of the Portuguese Winter Sports Federation, leads the mission. As of early February 2026, the flag bearer for the opening ceremony remains unannounced. The Games open on February 6 at Milan's San Siro Stadium, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
