From the desert heat of Jeddah to the snowy trails of international competition, Rakan Alireza has carved out one of the most unexpected athletic journeys in Saudi sport. A former competitive rower turned cross-country skier, Alireza is set to make history as the first Saudi male athlete to qualify for the Winter Olympics in cross-country skiing, securing his spot for Milan-Cortina 2026 after years of relentless training and perseverance.
Unlike most elite skiers raised amid snow-covered landscapes, Alireza developed his endurance and technique through creative training in the Kingdom and targeted seasons abroad, pushing his limits with running, cycling and roller skiing to bridge the gap. His path hasn’t just been about athletic development — it has become a symbol of ambition and adaptability, inspiring a new generation of Saudi athletes to venture into winter sports once considered out of reach.
In this interview, he reflects on the obstacles, milestones and mindset that have defined his extraordinary rise and what it means to carry his nation’s flag on the world’s biggest winter stage.
You’ve described your path into cross-country skiing as unexpected, especially coming from Jeddah with no snow nearby. What first drew you to the sport and kept you committed even when the challenges were steep?
It’s an interesting question, because I always tell people this opportunity was a complete gift from God. I wasn’t looking to get into winter sports at the time. I was working a full-time job as a consultant in Riyadh and had only recently started taking sports seriously through CrossFit. A few months later, I received an unexpected call from a relative asking if I wanted to be one of the first Saudis to qualify for the Winter Olympic Games. It felt like an answer to my prayers — so of course, I said yes. Then I asked what sport it would be, and he told me: cross-country skiing.
At the time, I was doing CrossFit, lots of aerobic training, rowing, and I already knew alpine skiing. I thought I was fit enough and assumed it would be similar. How wrong I was! It’s actually good that I had that false confidence, because within the first five minutes, I realised how demanding and different it was. We faced so many challenges, including timing, qualification quotas, and training in a country without snow, but I stayed committed.
Where are you at now with your sporting career, and what are you hoping to achieve from the Winter Olympics 2026?
I’m in a good place. I’m definitely not at the top of the field yet, because I am still considered a beginner. To put it into perspective, I’ve been on skis around 150 times, which is nothing compared with professional skiers who do that in six months. So, I constantly have to push myself.
My goal is bigger than finishing in a certain position. I want to open doors for the next generation of Saudis. People may say, “He was the first skier,” but I want someone to surpass me. I hope the next generation goes further. I want to qualify not only for the Olympics, but also for the World Cup, and to be taken seriously as an athlete.
I’m racing against people who were practically born on skis. Many are better than I and still might never reach the Olympics because of the competition in their countries. I don’t take my opportunity for granted. I worked hard to earn it, and I want to prove I truly belong in this sport, not just that I chased the Olympic rings.
Living in Saudi Arabia, there aren’t many places to ski. How do you find time for training and ensure you can practice as much as you need?
There are many limiting factors, but if I focused only on them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Luckily, my coach understands this and adapts my training around it. I’m only allowed to be in Europe for 90 days a year, so we make the most of the time I do get.
To build my aerobic base, I roller ski, train indoors, row, cycle, and spend a lot of time in the gym. It has always felt like a catch-up game, so I put in hours wherever I can. When I finally get back on snow, I’m usually more motivated than most — I want to prove to myself and others that I am a skier.
How do you deal with the kind of mental endurance that comes with the sport and keep your mindset in the right place? And how do you kind of deal with challenges and setbacks?
Each challenge is different, but you must find ways to motivate yourself. During a race in 2023, I genuinely thought I might retire in the middle of it. Then I suddenly smiled because I realised how much I love this. There will come a day when I can’t do it — whether because of age, injuries, or circumstances. That day comes for every athlete. When it does, I want to know I gave everything.
So when people ask, “Are you excited about the Olympics?” I say: I’m proud — but I was happiest while chasing the dream.
You mentioned that you have a day job – tell us about that and how you manage your schedule.
I work for a development company in Jeddah, creating the first water sports resort in the country, so it still connects closely to sport and what I love.
Saudi Arabia is seeing huge growth in sports. What are your thoughts on the changes, and what do you hope comes next?
Sometimes I wish I had the Benjamin Button effect and could grow younger. The new generation has opportunities I wish I had, but I’m still grateful to be part of this transformation. It’s exciting to see kids choosing physical activity over screens, even if gaming is growing too.
In the past, families discouraged kids from becoming athletes because it didn’t seem secure. “How will you support a family?” was the question. That mindset is slowly changing. Opportunity is expanding, and with it, belief.
What advice would you give the younger generation of athletes?
The goal is never guaranteed. So, you must love what you do. Even when I didn’t qualify, I still knew I would do it again a million times over. Enjoy the journey — not just the result.
Outside of skiing, what motivates and inspires you?
Growing up, the expectation was simple: study, graduate, and work in the corporate world. I did that, but it didn’t feel right for me. What motivates me now is making the most of every opportunity, even if it involves risk. I quit my job to pursue the Olympic dream because sometimes you have to see what’s on the other side.
For me, the pursuit of a goal is often more meaningful than the goal itself.
Looking ahead to 2026, what do you hope to achieve this year?
Would it be too much to say to be confirmed? Because I’m a big believer, but I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep!
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
I’m a firm believer that if I need a resolution, I’ll just start now rather than wait until New Year’s. So, I’m constantly changing my life.
