Frozen out: Why olympian Sabrina feels forsaken by Kenya

At just 27, Sabrina Wanjiku Simader should be preparing to chase glory at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. Instead, Kenya’s only alpine ski racer is facing an uncertain future contemplating early retirement, occasioned not by injury or personal choice, but from what she describes as years of institutional neglect.

“I have been true to my country, representing Kenya for over a decade, passionately and with love. I have struggled to access financial support from my country and I think it’s time up for me,” she told The Standard from her home in Styria, Southeastern Austria via Zoom.

Sabrina was born in Kilifi, along Kenya’s Coast, but grew up in Austria. She began skiing at an early age and in 2018, she made history becoming the first Kenyan woman and the only African at the time to compete in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics. The groundbreaking feat for a country with no history in winter sports, placing on the global skiing map.

But behind the medals and milestones, Sabrina has had to undergo a rough ride that nearly sent her off the rails. She says she has received little to no financial support from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) for more than a decade. This even as the body continues to receive billions to support athletes.

“It really hurts,” she said, “I have funded my training and competition for the past 11 years. I’ve spent over Sh12 million from my pocket. All I get are promises no action from NOC-K officials.”

READ: Winter Olympian Simader gives Kenya Ice Lions reason to smile

The Standard has reviewed documents including receipts and letters exchanged with NOC-K, which appear to support her claims.

In a letter dated earlier this year, outgoing NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku acknowledged her long-standing pleas for help.

“While there has been a change in the NOC-K leadership, I want to assure you that your matter has already been tabled and remains one of the top items under review during this transition period,” Mutuku wrote.

That undertaking, Sabrina says, has dragged on, still with no clear commitment from the new officials.

Newly elected NOC-K president Maluki Judo told The Standard that there was evidence she had received support. “I have gotten enough evidence to show that she was the most supported athlete,” he stated.

Last year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised its annual solidarity allocation to Kenya to Sh83.5 billion, specifically to bolster athlete-centered programs.

“That money should go to support athletes like me. I have put in a lot of effort to hoist high the flag of Kenya, but it reaches a time when you cannot stretch your patience,” she says.

Sabrina’s journey began at the age of three when she moved to Austria with her mother. Her Austrian stepfather introduced her to skiing. She fell in love with it instantly and although her stepfather died while she was still young, Sabrina pressed on.

She first represented Kenya at age 16 during the 2016 Youth Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway and two years later, she would carry Kenya’s flag again this time on the grandest winter stage in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“I’ve always been proud to represent Kenya. I had the option of changing my nationality to Austria or any other country to compete for and access fundamental financial support, but I didn’t. I never did it for myself alone, I did it for the country and for Africa,” she says.

“My mother has had to take a loan to support my endeavours. At this stage, my message to NOC-K is only one, listen to your athletes and support them. We should not be at this place,” she pleads.

The newly elected officials at NOC-K have acknowledged receipt of The Standard’s inquiry and promised to share a detailed response in due course.

Sabrina, for now, continues to train in Austria, her Olympic dream hanging in the balance while she stares at an uncertain future with a damning anticlimax threatening to define her once-promising career.