Meet the Armenian Athletes Competing in the Winter Olympics

As the 25th Winter Olympic Games approach, Armenian athletes are preparing to compete on the world’s biggest winter sports stage. The Games will be held from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and Armenia will be represented by five competitors across skiing and figure skating events.

During the winter season leading up to the Olympics, The Armenian Report met and interviewed Armenia’s Olympic hopefuls to learn more about their preparation, goals, and the challenges they faced on the road to qualification. The only athlete not interviewed was alpine skier Harutyun Harutyunyan, who was selected to compete at the last minute after a late decision by coaches.

At first, Gleb Mosesov was expected to represent Armenia in alpine skiing. However, in the final moments before the official lineup was confirmed, coaches decided that Harutyun Harutyunyan would take the spot instead. When asked by The Armenian Report about the sudden change, several coaches responded that they wanted Armenia to be represented by Armenian.

Armenia’s official Olympic team will include cross-country skiers Mikael Mikaelyan and Katya Galstyan, alpine skier Harutyun Harutyunyan, and figure skaters Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin.

Mikael Mikaelyan – Cross-Country Skiing

 Mikaelyan is one of Armenia’s most experienced winter athletes and has represented the country in multiple international competitions. At Milan-Cortina 2026, he will compete in the 20 km skiathlon and the 10 km freestyle race.

Katya Galstyan – Cross-Country Skiing

 Galstyan is Armenia’s leading female cross-country skier and a regular presence in major international events. She will race in the 20 km skiathlon and the 10 km freestyle events.

Harutyun Harutyunyan – Alpine Skiing

 Harutyunyan was added to Armenia’s Olympic team at the last minute after coaches changed their original plan. He will compete in the giant slalom and slalom events for Armenia.

Karina Akopova – Figure Skating (Pairs)

 Akopova made history with her partner by securing Armenia’s first Olympic quota in pair figure skating since independence. She will also serve as one of Armenia’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony.

Nikita Rakhmanin – Figure Skating (Pairs)

 Rakhmanin will compete alongside Akopova in the pair skating events and share flag-bearing duties during the opening ceremony. Together, they represent a major breakthrough for Armenian figure skating.

The Armenian figure skating duo is scheduled to skate in the short program qualification on February 15, followed by the free skate qualification on February 16.

Cross-country skier Katya Galstyan will compete in the 20-kilometer skiathlon on February 7 and later race in the 10-kilometer interval start freestyle event on February 12. Mikael Mikaelyan will take part in the same skiathlon distance on February 8 and then compete in the 10-kilometer freestyle race on February 13.

Harutyun Harutyunyan will represent Armenia in alpine skiing, racing in the giant slalom on February 14 and the slalom on February 16.

Across the Games, athletes from around the world will compete for 116 sets of medals in 16 sports disciplines, making Milan-Cortina 2026 one of the largest Winter Olympics in history.

The Armenian Report will continue to follow their journey from the opening ceremony through the final competitions, showing each performance as Armenia makes its mark at the 25th Winter Olympic Games.

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