Tropical Ice: The History of the Philippines as the First Tropical Nation in the Winter Olympics

 Long before the world cheered for the Jamaican bobsled team, a small delegation from the Philippines made history. In 1972, the Philippines became the first-ever tropical nation to participate in the Winter Olympics. This milestone happened at the Sapporo Games in Japan, a moment that forever changed the world of winter sports for warm-weather countries.

While the Philippines is better known for its 7,641 islands and year-round heat, the 1972 debut proved that geography does not limit athletic ambition.

Photo Credit: Philippine Olympic Committee

The Pioneers: Ben Nañasca and Juan Cipriano

The story of the first tropical Winter Olympians is as unique as their participation. Ben Nañasca and Juan Cipriano, who are cousins, represented the country in alpine skiing. Their path to the snow did not start in the Philippines, but in New Zealand and Europe.

• The Adoption: Both athletes were adopted by a New Zealand family as teenagers.
• The Training: They trained extensively across Europe, including Spain, France, and Switzerland.
• The Support: The Swiss government actually helped fund their training through a development program.

At just 17 years old, Ben Nanasca competed in the giant slalom. He finished 42nd out of 73 entrants. While they did not win medals, their presence was the first time a country from the tropical latitudes appeared on the Winter Olympic stage.

Breaking the "Snow Only" Rule

The participation of the Philippines in 1972 opened the doors for other warm-weather nations. According to Olympic records, a "tropical nation" is defined as a country that lies predominantly within tropical latitudes. The Philippines set the example that athletes from these regions could compete if they had access to international training facilities.

Timeline of Philippine Winter Olympic Participation

Year	Location	Sport(s)	Key Athlete(s)
1972	Sapporo, Japan	Alpine Skiing	Ben Nanasca, Juan Cipriano
1988	Calgary, Canada	Luge	Raymond Ocampo
1992	Albertville, France	Alpine Skiing	Michael Teruel
2014	Sochi, Russia	Figure Skating	Michael Christian Martinez
2026	Milan-Cortina, Italy	Alpine Skiing	Francis Ceccarelli, Tallulah Proulx

The 2026 Connection

Now, 54 years after that first appearance in Sapporo, the Philippines continues its legacy in Italy. The current delegation of Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx is a direct result of the path started by Nanasca and Cipriano.

Proulx, in particular, adds a new chapter to this history. As the first female athlete to represent the country in the Winter Games, she proves that the Philippine presence in winter sports is growing and becoming more diverse.

Why the 1972 Debut Still Matters

The 1972 Sapporo Games were the first Winter Olympics held outside of Europe or the United States. This made it the perfect setting for a Southeast Asian nation to make its mark.

Today, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino points to the country’s recent success in the Summer Games as a sign of what is possible. While the country still searches for its first Winter Olympic medal, the goal remains the same: to show the world that Filipino skill is not restricted by the weather.