Four athletes from the Xizang autonomous region have qualified to join China's delegation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, local sports authorities confirmed on Tuesday, Xizang Daily reported.

The Winter Games will open in Italy from Feb 6 to 22. Xizang is sending a group of winter sports athletes to the Olympic stage for the first time.

Xizang had selected eight individuals for the national training team, including seven athletes and one coach. After a series of international evaluations, four athletes and the coach were ultimately selected for the team.

Among the four qualifiers, two will compete in official events, while the other two will serve as reserves ready to fill vacancies caused by quota adjustments or injuries.

Yangjin Lhamo, 22, will compete in snowboard cross, and 20-year-old Tsetan Yudron will take part in ski mountaineering sprint and mixed relay events.

Kelsang Chodron, 22, is a reserve for cross-country skiing, and 23-year-old Sonam Chodron is a reserve for ski mountaineering.

The selected coach, Sonam, serves as a national team coach.

palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn