Fredrik Fodstad

Fredrik Fodstad
Personal information
BornFredrik Gerardo Fodstad
(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001
Bogotá, Colombia
Sport
Country Colombia
SportCross-country skiing
ClubLillehammer SK
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals2026 Winter Olympics
Updated on February 2026

Fredrik Gerardo Fodstad (born 7 January 2001) is a Colombian and Norwegian cross-country skier.[1][2] He was the sole representative and flag bearer of Colombia at the 2026 Winter Olympics.[3]

Biography

Fodstad was adopted as an infant from Bogotá, Colombia, and raised in Eidsvoll, Norway.[4][2][5] With his parents' encouragement, he began to ski at age three or four.[5][4] As a child, Fodstad skied for Eidsvold Værks Skiklub. He moved to Lillehammer to attend high school and joined Lillehammer SK.[4][2]

When he was 15 or 16 years old, he began thinking about his Colombian heritage and considering representing Colombia in international competition.[2][5] In 2020, Fodstad began speaking with Remi Padoin of Colombia's national ski team; he began representing Colombia in 2021.[3][4][5] Fodstad participated in the 2022–23 FIS Cross-Country World Cup; in his first appearance, he placed 64th in the men's classic sprint race.[6][7] He achieved his best result in an FIS race on 22 February 2023, placing 7th in the men's 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) free.[6][8]

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Fodstad – being the sole Colombian representative – was the flag bearer. He competed in the men's sprint, where he placed 83rd; and in the men's skiathlon, where he placed 69th.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Fredrik FODSTAD - Athlete Biography - Cross-Country". International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d "Norske Fredrik (25) ble OL-klar for Colombia: – Telefonen gikk fryktelig varm". Radio Haugaland (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b García Cruz, Jesús (6 February 2026). "Fredrik Fodstad, el colombiano que buscará la gloria en Milano Cortina 2026, no habla español y apenas recuerda Bogotá". El País América Colombia (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d Myhre, Marthe Katrine (24 March 2022). "Vil sette Colombia på skikartet". Langrenn.com (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d Benito, Ana María (2 February 2026). "El reencuentro con sus raíces: Fredrik Fodstad y su sueño olímpico con Colombia". ClaroSports (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b Hernández, Aloisio (31 January 2026). "Fredrik Fodstad: Quién es el colombiano en los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno Milano Cortina 2026". Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno (in Spanish).
  7. ^ Federation, International Ski and Snowboard. "FIS | Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup Results - Beitostolen (NOR) 2022/2023". www.fis-ski.com. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  8. ^ "FIS | Cross-Country Results - Planica (SLO) 2022/2023". Federation of International Ski and Snowboard. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Fredrik Fodstad". Olympedia.org. International Olympic Committee. 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.