Mialitiana Clerc: Madagascar’s Trailblazer in Skiing

A Three-Time Olympian Carrying Her Nation — and a Continent — With Pride

Mialitiana Clerc

At just 24 years old, Mialitiana Clerc has already carved her name into Olympic history. Competing in the giant slalom at Milano Cortina 2026, she becomes a three-time Winter Olympian — the first African woman ever to reach that milestone.

For a country better known for tropical beaches than snowy peaks, Clerc’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Yet for her, the Olympics are not just about personal achievement. They are about pride, identity, and opening doors.

“For me it’s amazing to compete for Madagascar again at the Olympics. At the Opening Ceremony there were a lot of people. All these Italians around me and all screaming ‘Madagascar!’ It was so cool,” Clerc said in an exclusive interview after carrying her country’s flag for the third consecutive Games.

That image alone — a young woman from Madagascar leading her nation into a global winter sports arena — speaks volumes.

Her Olympic adventure began eight years ago at PyeongChang 2018. She arrived wide-eyed and eager.

“In 2018 I was really impressed because before that I didn’t really know the Olympics. It was a first experience for me and I really wanted to enjoy and to be there and just to represent Madagascar and do my best.”

From that first experience to the bright lights of Beijing 2022, Clerc steadily improved, finishing 41st in giant slalom and 43rd in slalom — her best Olympic results so far. But numbers alone don’t capture the depth of her journey.

“I’ve learned that the Olympics is an event with a lot of different nations, a lot of different athletes from different sports and you’re all living together, and you share your passion, you share your emotions and, yeah, I find it really, really cool and you can share also some pins!”

Beyond competition, the Olympics became a community — a gathering of dreams stitched together by flags from every corner of the globe.

As Madagascar’s first female Winter Olympian, Clerc understands the weight of her platform.

“It’s really important to be proud of your country and yourself,” she said.

And again, reinforcing her message: “It’s really important to be proud of your country and yourself, and your journey,” she said, mentioning her injury battles and how she always came out ‘strong’ and determined to continue enjoying the sport.

Her resilience has not gone unnoticed. Skiing icons like Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone have shown their support.

“Mikaela Shiffrin is one of the kindest persons I met in the Alpine skiing world. Also, Federica Brignone is really really kind,” she said.

Madagascar aux JO d’hiver : Mialitiana Clerc, l’espoir africain du slalom • FRANCE 24

But perhaps her strongest bonds are with athletes from smaller nations.

“We understand each other, because it’s really difficult for us to train and to join some big teams especially in big events.”

That shared understanding forms a quiet but powerful alliance — competitors on the slopes, but teammates in spirit.

Mialitiana Clerc is skiing for more than medals. She is skiing for representation. For African girls who may have never imagined themselves in snow boots. For small nations that rarely see their flags waved in winter stadiums. For anyone who has ever dared to dream beyond geography.

Her story reminds us that the Olympics are at their best not when records fall, but when barriers do. Clerc’s presence alone is a victory — one that echoes far beyond the finish line.

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