Historical selection for Team Belgium
It is official: Belgium is sending its largest delegation ever to the Winter Olympics. During a press conference in Brussels, the BOIC announced that no fewer than 30 athletes are traveling to Milano Cortina 2026. With 16 women and 14 men, the record from 1936, when 27 Belgians participated in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is finally broken. The Games take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, and we are represented in more disciplines than ever before.
What immediately strikes me is the enormous diversity in the selection. We see Belgians shining in nine different disciplines, from the familiar speed skating to the new ski mountaineering. But the story currently occupying everyone's mind is that of Limburg's Sky Remans. At just 15 years old, she is the youngest member of the group. As a snowboarder in the slopestyle and big air disciplines, she shows that age at this level is actually just a number when talent and drive are present.
According to a report from Sporza, this selection is the result of years of investment in winter sports that were previously in the shadows.
The dance on ice: Figure skating in the spotlight
From my 30 years of experience in the dance world, I naturally look at the Winter Olympics with a very specific perspective. For us dancers, figure skating is the discipline where sport and art literally merge. This year, we have two absolute world-class athletes, Loena Hendrickx and Nina Pinzarrone, who will defend the Belgian tricolor.
I still remember the time when Belgium barely played a role in this field, but Loena has changed that single-handedly. What she does on the ice is pure choreography. In her programs set to music by icons like Beyoncé and Madonna, you see the strength, expression, and musicality that we also strive for in the dance studio. It's not just that triple lutz; it's the way she uses her fingertips and directs her gaze toward the jury. That is performance with a capital P.
Nina Pinzarrone is the rising star who already made an impression at the European Championships last year. It is fascinating to see how these young women combine the technical demands of a top sport with the elegance of a ballerina. At Miss Salsa, we know how difficult it is to make technique look effortless, and on the ice, that is ten times harder due to the speed and the cold.
What we as dancers can learn from these athletes
Although we usually stand on a wooden floor and not on an icy slope, there are many parallels to be drawn. Specifically, we can look at the mental resilience of someone like Sky Remans. In an interview with HLN, she says that her childhood dream is already coming true. That focus on a goal, despite the pressure and young age, is something every dancer can draw inspiration from.
Focus and discipline
- Body control: Whether you are spinning a pirouette on the dance floor or making a rotation on a snowboard, the core is your foundation.
- Sense of rhythm: Snowboarding and figure skating are all about 'flow'. You have to perfectly sense the timing of the mountain or the music.
- Perseverance: Falling is part of it, whether it's a failed step or a fall on the ice. It's about how quickly you get back up and resume your routine.
The road to Milano Cortina
The coming weeks for these 30 athletes are entirely dedicated to the final preparations. For the skaters, this means putting in hours on the ice, while the biathletes and skiers keep their fitness up in the mountains. In addition to well-known names such as Bart Swings (speed skating) and Hanne Desmet (short track), it is precisely that mix with new talent that makes these Games so interesting.
In practice, we see that the popularity of these sports also fuels interest in other forms of movement. After the previous Games, we saw a peak in registrations for classes where balance and elegance are central. It wouldn't surprise me if the performances in Milan soon inspire a whole new generation to start moving, whether on skates, a snowboard, or dance shoes.
We will follow Team Belgium closely. The passion with which these people experience their sport is exactly the energy we also feel every day at Miss Salsa. It promises to be a wonderful sporting winter in which we hopefully hear the Belgian national anthem more often than ever.