South Africa’s presence at the Summer Olympics is widely understood — but the Winter Olympics? Far fewer people realise that our country has quietly and consistently sent athletes to compete on snow and ice.
This year, just five South Africans are representing the nation at the Winter Games in Italy, forming a small but determined contingent flying the flag across seven venues and five Olympic Villages.

One of them is Matt C. Smith, a Johannesburg-born skier whose unlikely journey from 31-degree Joburg heat to icy Scandinavian slopes has become one of the great feel-good stories of the Games.

Speaking to the HOT 1027 Breakfast team live from the Olympic Village, Matt laughed at the contrast:

“I dreamt of being a Springbok… turns out I became a Snow-Bok.”

Listen to Matt’s full conversation on HOT 1027 Breakfast below:

Remarkably, Matt only began skiing three years ago. After relocating from Cape Town to Norway, he was faced with a choice familiar to any South African confronted with deep winter: “Lean in or hibernate.” He chose to lean in — and thanks to an inspiring first lesson from Mexican national ski champion Alan Daniel Corona, he discovered not only a new sport, but a new purpose.

Now 72 hours of practice per week, relentless self-funding, and support from SASCOC and Snow Sports South Africa have taken him all the way to the world’s biggest stage. Matt even had the honour of serving as a flag bearer at the opening ceremony of his village in Prazzo, one of multiple decentralised ceremonies across northern Italy.

He’s realistic about competing against nations with “a 20-year head start,” but says he’s already winning in other ways — as a role model, a social-media educator, and a blueprint for any South African who dreams of taking on an unconventional sport.

And as for medals?
Matt says he “cannot wait” to hit the slopes — and South Africa will be cheering him on every step of the way.

Watch as Matt shares his transition from a career in finance and venture capital to chasing the Winter Olympic dream in cross-country skiing. He discusses with Team South Africa the “Norwegian Secret” to success (hint: it involves joy!) , the brutal reality of elite training , and how he reverse-engineered a qualification formula to represent South Africa on the world stage.