Swedish Skier Set to Make Olympic History as First Openly Transgender Winter Games Competitor
Elis Lundholm of Sweden is poised to create a groundbreaking moment in Olympic history when they step up to the starting gate on Tuesday at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The freestyle skier will become the first openly transgender athlete to compete in a Winter Olympics, marking a significant milestone in sports inclusion and diversity.
Breaking Barriers in Milano-Cortina
The 23-year-old native of Boo, Sweden, is scheduled to compete in both the moguls and dual moguls events in the women's freestyle skiing division. Lundholm, a biological female who identifies as a man, will participate under current International Olympic Committee guidelines that govern transgender athlete participation.
Lundholm represents the only openly transgender athlete to qualify for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, making their participation particularly noteworthy in the ongoing global conversation about inclusion in elite sports.
Following IOC Framework for Inclusion
The International Olympic Committee released its comprehensive "Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations" in 2021, which Lundholm has followed meticulously to qualify for competition. This framework establishes a 10-principle approach that provides recommendations for individual sports federations to consider when determining eligibility requirements.
The IOC document explicitly states: "This Framework recognizes both the need to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their gender identity or sex variations, can practice sport in a safe, harassment-free environment that recognizes and respects their needs and identities, and the interest of everyone — particularly athletes at elite level — to participate in fair competitions where no participant has an unfair and disproportionate advantage over the rest."
According to established protocols, transgender athletes must first receive clearance from their respective sports federations before competing in Olympic events, ensuring proper adherence to established guidelines.
Lundholm's Perspective on Being a Transgender Athlete
During a recent interview with Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet, Lundholm addressed the potential for receiving online criticism and hate simply for being a transgender athlete during a period when the topic has become particularly contentious in sports discussions worldwide.
"Of course, it's something I thought about," Lundholm acknowledged. "You can hear the voices out there. But then, I do my thing and don't give a damn."
The skier added that they have "always been treated well" within the skiing community, suggesting a generally supportive environment among fellow competitors and sports professionals.
Competitive Background and Performance History
Lundholm made their World Cup circuit debut in 2024, achieving an 18th place finish in their inaugural season. The athlete has accumulated four Swedish championship medals throughout their career, including a bronze medal performance last year that demonstrated their competitive capabilities.
During last month's World Cup meet at Val Saint-Come in Quebec, Lundholm placed 23rd out of 49 competitors, showing consistent performance against international competition. This result, along with their overall competitive record, contributed to their qualification for the prestigious Olympic Games.
The participation of Elis Lundholm in the 2026 Winter Olympics represents more than just athletic competition—it symbolizes progress toward greater inclusion in international sports while highlighting the evolving policies governing athlete participation at the highest levels of competition.
