Italy-born Karen and Mark Chanloung prepare for third OlympicsListen to this articleMark and Karen Chanloung are expected to carry Thailand’s flag at the opening ceremony on Feb 6 on behalf of ‌the country’s ​small group of Winter Games competitors. At the Milano ​Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, however, they will be representing Thailand, a tropical nation with little tradition but growing ambitions in winter sport. The cross-country skiing siblings, born to an Italian mother and a Thai father, were raised in Gressoney-La-Trinité in Italy’s Aosta Valley. The siblings are also expected to carry Thailand’s flag at the opening ceremony on Feb 6 on behalf of ‌a ​small group of competitors. “The Thai winter sports federation is a young organisation working with athletes who start from very basic levels and need years to become internationally competitive,” he ​said.

Source: Bangkok Post January 28, 2026 16:01 UTC