Leh, Feb 17: Ladakh etched its name on the Winter Olympic map as Stanzin Lundup became the first athlete from the Union Territory to compete in cross-country skiing at the Winter Games, completing the men’s 10km freestyle event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
The 27-year-old skier from Hemis Shukpachan, representing the Indian Army and the country, clocked 28:26.7 to finish 104th among 111 finishers in a field of 113 starters at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Italy on February 13.
Competing against some of the finest Nordic skiers in the world, Lundup held his ground in demanding conditions. Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo secured gold with a time of 20:36.2, followed by France’s Mathis Desloges, who finished 4.9 seconds behind, and Norway’s Einar Hedegart, who took bronze at 14.0 seconds off the lead.
For India, Lundup was the lone entrant in cross-country skiing at these Games. His participation alone marked a new chapter for winter sports in Ladakh, a region known for its long winters and high-altitude terrain suited for endurance disciplines.
In a congratulatory message, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh said the Union Territory was proud of Lundup’s effort on the Olympic stage. The statement noted that representing the Indian Army and the nation at the Winter Games reflected the potential of athletes emerging from Ladakh’s snow-bound landscape.
Born in the remote village of Toro Pa in Hemis Shukpachan in Leh district, Lundup trained amid harsh climatic conditions that shaped his endurance from a young age. As a member of the Indian Army’s High Altitude Warfare School, he refined his skills in Nordic skiing, a sport that demands stamina, technical precision and mental strength.
His qualification for Milano Cortina 2026 came through the International Ski Federation points system. Lundup was one of only two Indian athletes at the Games, alongside alpine skier Arif Mohammad Khan from Jammu and Kashmir.
His selection by an ad hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association had drawn legal objections from other aspirants. Despite the dispute, Lundup maintained focus on his preparation, undergoing training stints in Europe and India to adapt to the freestyle interval start format used in the 10km race.
According to officials of the Ladakh Ski and Snowboard Association, finishing an Olympic race against elite competitors is an achievement that will inspire young athletes in the region. Lundup’s time earned him 304.48 FIS points, reflecting both the competitive gap and the scope for progress in a discipline where India has had limited presence.
His Olympic outing sparked wide support on social media, with many praising his journey from the Himalayas to the global sporting stage.
The Union Territory of Ladakh is celebrating a proud sporting moment after Stanzin Lundup.
Sports observers note that Ladakh’s natural snow-covered landscape offers strong training grounds for skiing, yet structured support and exposure at national and international levels remain limited. Lundup’s Olympic participation is expected to encourage greater investment and interest in winter sports infrastructure across the region.
As celebrations continue in his native village and across the Union Territory, Lundup’s performance stands as a reminder of Ladakh’s growing presence in international winter competitions.
India’s campaign at Milano Cortina 2026 concluded with Arif Mohammad Khan delivering the country’s best-ever result in men’s slalom, finishing 39th on February 16. With only two athletes representing the nation, the Games have once again brought attention to the need for stronger winter sports infrastructure in regions such as Ladakh, where natural conditions offer a strong base for growth.
For Ladakh, however, Lundup’s Olympic start line appearance stands as a moment that could inspire a new generation of skiers to dream beyond the mountains.
