Global News Podcast – More Than the Score: When will Africa win its first Winter Olympic Medal?

Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Lee James (BBC World Service)
Guests:

• Simidele Adeagbo ("Sleigh Queen", Olympian, Nigeria, Skeleton)
• Matt Smith ("Snow Bok", Olympian, South Africa, Cross-country Skiing)
• Sabrina Zimada ("Snow Leopard", Olympian, Kenya, Alpine Skiing)

Episode Overview

This episode of "More Than the Score" explores the ongoing quest for Africa's first-ever Winter Olympic medal. Against the backdrop of the Milan Cortina Winter Games, host Lee James is joined by pioneering African Winter Olympians to unpack the continent's unique journey in winter sports. With new nations making their debut and South Africa sending its largest team, the discussion centers on barriers, progress, personal stories, and prospects for greater African representation and success on the Winter Olympic stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Journeys & Olympic Dreams

• Matt Smith (03:07):

  • Shared his childhood dream of being a Springbok and how it evolved into being called the "Snow Bok."
    • “It’s a nice reminder that not all dreams come true in the way you expected them, but actually, I would say that it’s shaped in a more beautiful way.”
  • Notes South Africa's unprecedented five-strong team at Milan Cortina.

• Simidele Adeagbo (03:37):

  • Reflected on becoming the first Nigerian Winter Olympian and the first Black female skeleton competitor.
  • Highlighted the power of unexpected dreams and historic achievement:
    • “It was so historic for the continent of Africa. ... I started in track and field ... It took shape at the Winter Olympics in a way that was very unexpected but even actually more sweet in a way.”

2. Growth & Representation in African Winter Sports

• Matt Smith (04:41, 05:40):

  • Observes a crucial "inflection point" with increasing African participation.
  • Mentions athletes from Tanzania, Nigeria, and other African nations now qualifying.
    • “I feel like we are at a point now where continental Africa is going to be represented more ... to be medal contending in what was formerly a Northern hemisphere sporting Olympics.”

• Simidele Adeagbo (05:40, 06:54):

  • Notes setback between 2018 (record African participation) and 2022 (drop off).
  • Stresses infrastructural and support barriers: limited facilities, funding, and expertise.
    • “Africa is a huge continent, more than a billion people, and so it’s important that representation is proportionate at the Olympic Games.”

3. Barriers: Infrastructure, Funding, Systemic Gaps

• Sabrina Zimada (10:45):

  • Recounts financial barriers as the main reason for retiring despite qualifying for Milan Cortina.
    • “It was always very hard to find financial support ... I achieved a lot even through all these challenges, and I’m very, very thankful for my sponsors and who kept believing in me.”

• Simidele Adeagbo (14:37):

  • Emphasizes a lack of systemic support and global-level structure for talent development.
    • “Systemically, we don’t have the systems in place for support … I look to the IOC and the international federations to really put structured programs in place.”

4. Qualification Systems and Opportunity

• Matt Smith (16:46):

  • Explains cross-country skiing’s relatively open qualifying system.
    • “If you have an Olympic dream and you put the work in and you sacrifice ... there is a pathway. If you don’t start at 12 years old ... I started at 32 years old.”
  • Notes this creates bottom-up opportunity for nations with little history in winter sports.

• Simidele Adeagbo (19:06):

  • On the importance of universality and the Olympic ideal:
    • “If you look in the charters of the Olympic Charter, you see that universality, which is representation for all of the continents ... is an important value within the Olympics … In 2018, we did have continental representation, which created a pathway for myself and other athletes.”
  • Addresses resistance from established federations to continental quotas.

5. Community, Mentorship & Legacy

• Matt Smith (21:27):

  • Describes the "Team Avalanche" WhatsApp group—an organic support network for athletes from non-traditional winter nations.
    • “We share resources, we share sofas ... When I look back on my life as a professional athlete, I will probably forget the time and the place in the race. But I will never forget who I’ve crossed the finish line with.”

• Sabrina Zimada (11:31):

  • Expresses hope to support future athletes through ski camps and mentorship.
    • “I’m also building up a ski camp so I can take all this experience for the upcoming champions and generations.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Smith on African Potential (07:17):

  • “You can’t be what you can’t see ... Africa is an unbelievable source of talent that could and should find its way through every sport.”

• Simidele Adeagbo on Systemic Barriers (14:37):

  • “Sure, you have dedicated, committed athletes like myself and Matt ... but it takes a village, as we like to say in Africa.”

• Sabrina Zimada on Being a Trailblazer (10:10):

  • “To be the first female especially, it’s a big honor ... I went through a lot of challenges, through a lot of ups and downs, but I’m really proud that I made it this far.”

• On African Medals—Dream or Reality (23:23):

  • Simidele Adeagbo: “It is possible. With the right talent, with the right support, and with the right resources, a medal is possible. So 10 years, if we’re really all clicking on all cylinders and we get an influx of funding, who knows? ... maybe the next 25 years might be a little bit more feasible.”
  • Matt Smith: “My money is on Simi and your sport. Actually, my money is on Nicole Berger ... I can’t wait to see her race because I really feel that she’s going to not only get us our first medal as a continent but get South Africa its first medal as well.”

• Olympic Memories & Camaraderie (24:27):

  • Simidele Adeagbo: “Just enjoy every moment. Enjoy it, enjoy it, enjoy it. It’s like nothing you would have ever experienced in your life ... just meet people and celebrate this global community of sport.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Personal introductions and dreams: 03:07 – 05:40
• Growth of African participation: 05:40 – 07:09
• Barriers faced by African athletes: 10:45 – 14:37
• Qualification pathways: 16:46 – 18:39
• Importance of universal representation and resistance: 19:06 – 20:54
• Community support (Team Avalanche group): 21:27 – 22:29
• Speculation: when will Africa win a medal?: 23:16 – 24:10
• Advice & final thoughts: 24:27 – end

Conclusion

This episode delivers an inspiring and candid look into the efforts and hopes of African athletes in Winter Olympic sports. The guests underline the critical need for systemic support, better infrastructure, and international cooperation to nurture African talent. They highlight not merely their own struggles and triumphs, but also the communal bonds among athletes carving a path where none existed before.
With growing representation, mentorship networks like Team Avalanche, and the courage of trailblazers, there is cautious optimism that Africa’s first Winter Olympics medal is within sight—if not in the next games, then perhaps within the coming decades.

For those eager to follow the continuing story, keep an eye on Matt Smith, Nicole Berger, and the new generation inspired by the footsteps of these pioneers.