Fayik Abdi, Saudi Arabia's pioneer alpine ski racer, has qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This is his second consecutive appearance, solidifying his historic role and highlighting the Kingdom's expanding presence in global winter sports.

Kazakhstan will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games after Saudi Arabia's withdrawal.

The Games had originally been due to be held in Neom, a still under-construction mega-city. Saudi Arabia has had to scale back several ambitious development projects due to rising costs and falling oil prices.

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will be represented at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee officially confirmed the Kingdom’s participation in the Games, which will be hosted by Italy from Feb.