Latvian Athletes Compete Today: Opmanis, Bendika & Luge Doubles at Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics

Latvian Athletes Compete in Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, and Luge at Milano Cortina 2026

The Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are underway, with several Latvian athletes already making their mark. Elvis Opmanis kicked off the action in alpine skiing, whereas biathletes and luge teams are preparing for their events. This marks a significant moment for Latvian winter sports, with a delegation of 68 athletes – the largest in the nation’s Olympic history – competing across nine different sports.

Opmanis Continues Alpine Skiing Campaign

Following a 32nd-place finish in the downhill event, Elvis Opmanis is set to compete in the super-giant slalom, starting at 12:30 PM Latvian time. This is his second appearance at the Milano Cortina games, showcasing Latvia’s growing presence in alpine skiing.

Biathlon Heats Up with Latvian Contenders

The biathlon events will feature Baiba Bendika, Estere Volfa, Sanita Buliņa, and Annija Keita Sabule. Bendika, competing in her third Olympics, has previously finished 39th and 58th in the 15km classic event. Volfa and Bendika also participated in the mixed relay, while Buliņa and Sabule will be making their Olympic debuts. They will compete in the 15km individual distance in Anterselva, starting at 3:15 PM Latvian time.

Luge Teams Prepare for Doubles Competition

The luge competition will see Latvia represented in the doubles event by Marta Robežniece/Kitija Bogdanova and Mārtiņš Bots/Roberts Plūme, as well as Eduards Ševics-Mikeļševics/Lūkass Krasts. This is a historic moment as the women’s doubles luge event is being included in the Olympic program for the first time, marking a debut for Robežniece and Bogdanova. The Latvian women’s team has shown strong performance in training, consistently ranking among the top four.

Bots and Plūme are aiming to improve upon their fourth-place finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where they missed a medal by just 0.354 seconds. They later secured a bronze medal in the team relay at those same games. Ševics-Mikeļševics and Krasts will be making their Olympic debut.

Latvian Delegation Celebrates Early Success

Elīna Ieva Bota, wife of Mārtiņš Bots, has already brought home a silver medal for Latvia, providing an early boost to the team’s morale. The games are scheduled to continue until February 22nd.

FAQ

Q: How many athletes are representing Latvia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics?
A: 68 athletes.

Q: What sports are the Latvian athletes competing in?
A: Nine different sports.

Q: Has Latvia won any medals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics so far?
A: Yes, Elīna Ieva Bota won a silver medal.

Q: What is new in the luge competition this year?
A: The women’s doubles luge event has been added to the Olympic program for the first time.

Q: When does Elvis Opmanis compete next?
A: He will compete in the super-giant slalom, starting at 12:30 PM Latvian time.

Pro Tip: Keep up with the latest results and schedules on the official Milano Cortina 2026 website and LTV7 for live broadcasts.

Stay tuned for further updates on the Latvian athletes’ performances throughout the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.