Andrea al-Hayek during a competition in Lithuania, in October 2025. Photo provided by the family of Andrea al-Hayek.
"It took me a day or two to realize what was happening,” says Andrea al-Hayek. Speaking from London, where he lives with his family, the 17-year-old has just qualified to represent Lebanon in the slalom at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, to be held Feb. 6-22 in Italy.Admitting that "the last few months have been particularly stressful," the athlete says he feels almost more at ease now that the qualifications are behind him. On Feb. 16, he will compete in his only Olympic race, the result of relentless discipline and many sacrifices.'Taking my chance with Lebanon'Born in 2008 in Paris to a Lebanese father passionate about the sport and a Greek mother "more used to water skiing," Andrea started skiing at just two years old."Hot-headed and fearless," according to his mother Hélène, he tackled...
"It took me a day or two to realize what was happening,” says Andrea al-Hayek. Speaking from London, where he lives with his family, the 17-year-old has just qualified to represent Lebanon in the slalom at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, to be held Feb. 6-22 in Italy.Admitting that "the last few months have been particularly stressful," the athlete says he feels almost more at ease now that the qualifications are behind him. On Feb. 16, he will compete in his only Olympic race, the result of relentless discipline and many sacrifices.'Taking my chance with Lebanon'Born in 2008 in Paris to a Lebanese father passionate about the sport and a Greek mother "more used to water skiing," Andrea started skiing at just two years old."Hot-headed and fearless," according to his mother Hélène, he...
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