Yiannos Kougioumtzian steps into the spotlight on Saturday morning as he competes in the Giant Slalom at the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The first run begins at 11:00 Cyprus time.
According to the Cyprus Olympic Committee, the Cypriot skier will start 78th out of 81 athletes from around the world.
The second run follows at 14:30. Only those who complete the first course will advance. Combined times from both runs will decide the final standings.
The 29-year-old aims to finish both runs and secure an official ranking against the world’s top skiers.
His mother, Lina Aristodemou, drives him forward. She became the first Cypriot woman to compete at the Winter Olympics when she took part in the 1980 Games in Lake Placid at just 14 years old.
Speaking during the presentation of Cyprus’ Olympic delegation for the Games in Italy, in remarks posted by the Cyprus Olympic Committee, Ms Aristodemou expressed “great emotion, great pride for Yiannos’ dream coming true for the second time”. She said this year proved extremely difficult because the qualification criteria for the giant slalom changed. “Fortunately he proved lucky and, with a lot of hard work, he will represent us in both events,” she said. “Their medal, both for Yiannos and for our Cypriot female athlete, is their presence.” Asked whether she had motivated her son to pursue sport, she said: “Now with a second participation, even if I wasn’t the motivation, I am happy for him.”
Speaking today on CyBC, she described the Games as a major celebration with a fantastic atmosphere and wished Yiannos every success. “He makes his own journey, he has left his own mark and I wish him the best result,” she added.
She explained that the giant slalom demands speed and strength, but each course differs and every piste carries its own level of difficulty. “You cannot know what you will face. At every point you must manage the situation in that very second,” she said.
“The weather conditions are much better than in Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but the level of difficulty is very high and we wish our athlete the very best,” Ms Aristodemou concluded.
Speaking to philenews, she said she grew up in Troodos because of her father’s profession, explaining how a Cypriot athlete came to take up skiing. As for Yiannos, she said he tried various sports from a young age before skiing won him over.
“He now has the chance to leave his own legacy. With five world championships and a second Olympic participation, he has already carved his own path and journey,” she added.
According to the Cyprus Olympic Committee, the race takes place at the demanding Stelvio Ski Centre on a course measuring 1,448 metres, with a vertical drop of 390 metres from start to finish.
The Giant Slalom at the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be broadcast live on CyBC television.
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