Europe's increasing diversity, fueled by decades of immigration from Africa and the Middle East, is not reflected in the continent's Winter Olympics teams. While sports like soccer have embraced multiculturalism, winter sports remain overwhelmingly white, with few athletes of color representing countries such as Sweden, France, and Germany. Social, financial, and cultural barriers prevent many immigrants and their children from accessing winter sports, which are often unfamiliar and expensive.

Maryan Hashi, a Black woman from Somalia living in Sweden, found snowboarding to be a powerful tool for integration, though she initially felt out of place on the slopes. Her experience highlights the broader challenges faced by immigrants, including lack of exposure, resources, and community support. Experts say that increasing diversity in winter sports will require long-term cultural shifts and targeted efforts to make these activities more accessible. Programs exist to introduce children to skiing, but few specifically focus on immigrant communities, leaving untapped potential for the next generation of athletes.