Though it could sound onerous to consider, Puerto Rico, the island with a tropical local weather, is taking part within the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, due to a Texan.
Kellie Delka is the one athlete representing Puerto Rico on the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics within the sport of skeleton (the place an athlete rides a sled the other way up at excessive speeds on an ice observe). Whereas Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, all U.S. territories, together with Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, compete independently as their very own nations within the Olympic Video games.
Delka, who’s initially from Texas however has lived in Puerto Rico for about 8 years, posted a video on TikTok explaining how a Texan ended up representing the tropical island on the Winter Olympics.
“Sure, I’m from the States. I’m from Texas. I moved to Puerto Rico about 8 years in the past with the hopes of increase this winter federation on the island,” Delka mentioned within the video, including that winter sports activities are rising on the island. “As you may think about, Puerto Rico isn’t a winter sports activities hub….[but] it is rising. We’ve a hockey federation. We’ve a curling federation. We’ve a number of athletes in winter sports activities, together with me in skeleton.”
Delka went on to say: “It’s actually thrilling when a few of these youthful youngsters get taken with eager to characterize Puerto Rico and they’re Puerto Rican. I believe me being within the video games and me representing for the 8 eight years, representing the island, I am giving hope to those youths that perhaps ‘I can try this too.'”
Delka’s Olympic journey has been lengthy…and expensive! The 38-year-old mentioned that she pays for virtually every part.
“I haven’t got all the flamboyant bells and whistles,” she mentioned. “I haven’t got sports activities med. I haven’t got a coach. I am on my own 12 months spherical. When i am touring to those world cups, I’m often driving throughout Europe on my own. I am on the aircraft on my own. I get to the World Cup races on my own. I am doing plenty of issues on my own […] I’ve to pay for that — the lodging, every part. So it is vitally expensive. I’ve to do every part by myself.”
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Getty Photos UNSPECIFIED – FEBRUARY 06: Olympian Kellie Delka of Workforce Puerto Rico poses for a photograph on February 07, 2026 forward of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. (Photograph by IOC by way of Getty Photos)
Nonetheless, when you assume that representing an island nation has made it simpler for her to make it to the Olympics, Delka needs you to know, that isn’t the case.
“Individuals are like, ‘It have to be simpler making the video games if you end up a small nation’ and that isn’t the case. It’s extremely troublesome. There are a ton of small nations on this sport. it’s a very European-based sport. And for me to be one of many high 25 ladies on this planet to get to the olympics and to hit my quota with barely something, is completely wonderful and I’m so happy with myself.”
The athlete needs to clarify that she is proud to characterize Puerto Rico since she lives, trains and could be very a lot concerned in her group.
“I completely love being in Puerto Rico and I really like dwelling there,” Delka mentioned. “It is a dream come true and it’s an absolute honor to be right here and carrying the flag. And I hope I can spark some goals for future winter olympians on the island.”
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Getty Photos LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK – MARCH 07: Kellie Delka of Puerto Rico competes in the course of the Ladies’s Skeleton Race Warmth three on Day 2 of the 2025 IBSF World Championships at Mt Van Hoevenberg on March 07, 2025 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photograph by Al Bello/Getty Photos)
