Singapore, February 12, 2026: Alpine skier Faiz Basha will make history for Singapore when he competes in the men’s giant slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on February 14.
Faiz, 23, will become Singapore’s first Winter Olympian in a snow sport and only the second Winter Olympian after short track speed skater Cheyenne Goh at PyeongChang 2018. He has also entered the men’s slalom on February 16.
But he remains unfazed as he readies himself for an appearance on sport’s grandest stage, with this calm stemming from focusing on specific aspects of his training. These include sport-specific exercises and conditioning drills that have translated to improved balance and power endurance on the slopes.
Working with a sport psychologist has helped with steadying his mind during competitions. He also believes he is better equipped to handle the nerves of competing in bigger events, having raced in the Harbin Asian Winter Games, FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and World University Games during the 2025 season.
“I’m just getting my routine and skiing set-up really perfected, because in skiing it’s not just about your body. It’s also about how your body interacts with the equipment,” explained Faiz, who learnt to ski at age three in Switzerland where his family had relocated due to his father’s work posting.
“Honestly, it’s not freaking me out too much. I’m quite prepared. It’s been a long time that I’ve known I have the capabilities to qualify. I’ve been preparing for this for many, many years.”
Faiz hopes his Olympic outing reminds fellow Singaporeans that anything is possible.
“Every time I think back to when I was training during National Service on roller skates outside the National Stadium, I remember people giving me weird looks, like ‘What the hell is this guy doing skating left and right with some ski poles and cones?’ They looked kind of confused, and it doesn’t look very cool; it’s just something that was very technical that I was working on,” he said.
“That’s where I came from and now I’m here. I’m carrying the flag of the place where I was training, doing these stupid things that people wouldn’t think were actually good for skiing but it was. Anything is possible, don’t judge me just because I’m from here. I can still do it.”
(By Nicole Chia for Singapore NOC)