CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Tallulah Proulx is making history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first-ever female athlete to represent the Philippines in the Winter Games.
The 17-year-old Alpine skier, who traces her family roots to Eastern Samar, expressed both excitement and a sense of duty during a phone interview from Cortina, the primary venue for the women’s Alpine events.
A Historic Milestone
Proulx’s participation marks a significant breakthrough for Philippine winter sports:
- First Filipina: She is officially the first female athlete from the Philippines to compete in any Winter Olympic sport.
- Inspiration: “I just hope that more Filipinas would follow in my footsteps,” Proulx said. “I also want to represent the Philippines positively.”
Competitive Schedule
Proulx is slated to compete in two major technical events at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center, a historic venue that also hosted the 1956 Winter Games:
- Giant Slalom: A high-speed race featuring two runs on a course nearly 1.5 kilometers long with over 50 gates.
- Slalom: A shorter, more technical race requiring quick, tight turns through a dense series of gates.
Team Philippines in 2026
Proulx is part of a two-person Alpine skiing team representing the country in Italy.
- Teammate: Francis Ceccarelli competed in the men’s giant slalom in Bormio, finishing the first run 67th out of 81 competitors.
- Leadership: Chef de mission Jezreel Apelar confirmed that both athletes underwent rigorous preparation, despite the challenge of having their respective events held 340 kilometers apart.
The Philippines first joined the Winter Olympics in 1972 and is currently on its fourth consecutive appearance since the 2014 Sochi Games. Proulx’s debut not only expands the country’s representation but also serves as a landmark moment for female Filipino athletes in cold-weather sports.