The Associated Press has called out the predominantly white European nations participating in the Winter Olympics for lacking diversity, stating that the recent surge in immigrants should be reflected in the athletes representing these countries.
“Sweden’s delegation will primarily consist of ethnic Swedish athletes at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics,” the report notes. It highlights NHL player Mika Zibanejad, who is of Iranian descent, as a rare exception among athletes from Scandinavian nations.
According to the AP, “The current representation hardly mirrors Scandinavia’s actual diversity. Out of 10 million residents, approximately 2 million were born outside Sweden, with nearly half coming from Asia or Africa.”
The article underscores that athletes from other European countries, such as France and Germany, show similar patterns—a lack of immigrant representation, especially in winter sports compared to more diverse soccer and basketball teams.
Swedish snowboarder Marian Hashi, a 30-year-old immigrant from Somalia, was showcased as an example of efforts to combat the overwhelming whiteness at the Olympics this year. However, she expressed feelings of being an outsider in the snowy landscapes.
After moving to Sweden in 2009, Hashi experienced what she described as a “culture shock,” feeling scared and isolated due to the language barrier, which led her to bond primarily with fellow immigrants rather than native Swedes.
Her introduction to snowboarding came through a local initiative aimed at helping new residents acclimate to Swedish culture. Yet, despite being part of supportive programs, she still found herself feeling lost. “If you lack information or access, it can seem like a white sport. Without proper integration into the community, the knowledge about snowboarding just isn’t there,” she remarked.
The Associated Press consulted Josef Farren, a sports education professor at Umeå University, who claimed that the diversity issue isn’t solely a problem within winter sports—it’s a broader cultural challenge. He suggested that the change necessary to diversify these traditionally white sports may take “decades, not years.”
Farren further noted that children often gravitate toward sports familiar to their parents, which explains why ski resorts predominantly attract Europeans. He offered the example of Alexander Isak from Sweden’s national soccer team, whose Eritrean heritage illustrates how familial connections influence sport preferences.
The Swedish Ski Federation was questioned about their efforts toward inclusivity. They acknowledged they need to improve, stating, “Inclusion is our goal.” The report highlighted the financial barriers to participating in winter sports, including the costs of equipment and transportation.
In response, the Swedish Ski Federation has been proactive for nearly two decades, initiating the “Alla På Snö” (Everyone on the Snow) program in 2008, which has provided free access and equipment to around 30,000 children.
Additionally, the Leisure Bank Project offers free rentals of ski gear, likening it to a public library model. However, the AP pointed out that these initiatives don’t specifically target immigrant communities and thus may not align with their standards for diversity.
The Associated Press has not yet commented on whether they view diversity issues as equally pertinent for non-European teams in the Olympics.
