| Photo courtesy of Franci Ceccarrelli
MANILA — Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli has officially become the first Filipino athlete to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, marking a historic milestone for the Philippines as it prepares to compete on the icy slopes of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo next February.
The 22-year-old athlete, born in Quezon City and adopted by an Italian couple at age 8, secured his Olympic berth through consistent performances in International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) races, particularly in slalom. His qualification also positions him as the fifth Filipino alpine skier to compete in the Winter Games and the first to earn a quota spot for the 2026 Olympics.
A Journey Rooted in Identity and Determination
Ceccarelli, who now resides in Abetone, Tuscany—a town known for its deep skiing culture—credits his early exposure to the sport to his adoptive mother, former professional skier Lisa Seghi. “The first one who encouraged me to ski was my mom at ski school camp,” he said in an interview. “After that, I thought that ski was really fun and with the passage of time, I decided to do skiing”.
Despite growing up in Italy, Ceccarelli has long felt a strong connection to his Filipino heritage. He began the process of reacquiring his Philippine citizenship in 2020 and completed it in 2023 after a three-year effort. “Since I started skiing, my Filipino identity has always been with me. It represents where I was born and where I’m from,” he told Olympics.com. “It was a goal for me to ski for the Philippines, because it is not every day that we have a Filipino athlete skiing at an international level”.
Training Across Continents for Olympic Readiness
Currently training in Chile to maximize the benefits of high-altitude conditions, Ceccarelli says his Olympic qualification is the result of relentless discipline. “I qualified for the Winter Olympics because I made many races and many trainings before… I think the secret for all these is constancy and continuity,” he explained in a recent interview.
His international race experience includes appearances at the Asian Winter Games, where he competed in the men’s slalom event. Though he missed the podium on his first run due to a mistake, Ceccarelli said the setback only strengthened his resolve to improve and push further.
A Symbol of Pride for the Philippines
As the Philippines continues to expand its presence in winter sports, Ceccarelli’s qualification is being celebrated as a breakthrough moment. The country has historically fielded only a handful of athletes in the Winter Olympics, making his achievement especially significant.
Ceccarelli says he is motivated not only by personal ambition but by the opportunity to inspire young Filipinos. “I’m feeling good, and really proud of myself and for the people who support me. I’m really excited and ready for this Olympics season,” he said.
His upcoming Olympic debut will be doubly meaningful: he will compete in Italy, the country that raised him, while carrying the flag of the Philippines, the country of his birth. “Family is very important,” he shared. “My mum taught me everything that I know about the art of skiing”.
Ceccarelli Excited and Ready
With just months to go before the Games, Ceccarelli continues to train intensively as he prepares to represent the Philippines on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages. His participation not only marks a personal triumph but also signals a new chapter for Filipino athletes in winter sports.
As he put it—but powerfully—”I’m really excited and ready.”
