Credit: Ievgenii Karanov, Chronicle.lu
On Thursday 29 January 2026, the Luxembourg Olympic and Sports Committee (COSL) presented the official composition of its national squads for the 2026 season during a press conference held at the premises of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) in Luxembourg-Hollerich.
The press conference brought together around 70 guests, including representatives of national sports federations and sports managers, and took place in the presence of Luxembourg’s Minister of Sport, Martine Hansen.
The event opened with a speech by Samy Picard, Head of Private Banking Luxembourg at BIL, who underlined the importance of inclusion in a national squad as a key moment in an athlete’s career. Speaking from both a personal and institutional perspective, he highlighted BIL’s long-standing commitment to supporting Luxembourg sport and athletes not only in moments of success, but also at crucial stages of their sporting and professional journeys.
In her address, the Minister Hansen highlighted the commitment, discipline and perseverance required to reach elite level, stressing that such achievements are the result of long-term effort and collective support rather than individual success alone. She paid tribute to the many stakeholders behind the scenes, including clubs, federations, volunteers and institutions, and reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to supporting sport in Luxembourg, notably through structural backing, funding measures and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening clubs and ensuring greater planning stability.
During the event, two athletes who will represent the Grand Duchy at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in alpine skiing were presented: Gwyneth Ten Raa and Matthieu Osch.
Commenting for Chronicle.lu on their prospects, Raymond Conzemius, COSL Sport Director, said: “We are happy to have two athletes at a very good level, around 25 FIS points, which is the best level they have ever reached. For Luxembourg, we have never gone to the Olympic Games with this level before. Both athletes are well prepared, and while much will depend on the competition on site, a top-30 result could be an interesting target.”
He added that while Matthieu Osch’s season started later due to a minor injury, he is now “on a good path”, with both skiers focusing their preparation very precisely on the Olympic Games.
The presentation of the Team Lëtzebuerg national squads for 2026 confirmed a total of 113 athletes, compared with 106 in 2025, reflecting a moderate overall increase. While the number of elite athletes remains relatively stable, the new selection shows a broader base, particularly at promotion and development levels.
For 2026, the Elite Squad comprises 44 athletes and six teams, compared with 50 athletes in 2025, while the Promotion Squad has grown to 63 athletes, up from 58 the previous year. According to COSL, this evolution illustrates both natural turnover at elite level and increased depth within the national pathway.
Addressing the selection process, Raymond Conzemius explained that the 2026 squads were formed on the basis of clearly defined, sport-specific criteria. “We have two main squad categories, the promotion squad for younger athletes and the elite squad for the highest level, and the decisions are taken through a structured process involving the Sports Commission, the Technical Bureau and the COSL Board,” he said, noting that preparations for the 2026 squads began last November.
He added that while some athletes have ended their careers and others have progressed within the system, the overall picture is positive. “We see a slight improvement in the general level, and especially a strong renewal on the youth side. This shows the quality of work being done by the federations and the athletes, and results in a broader squad than last year,” he said.
Focusing on the Olympic project, Raymond Conzemius pointed to a core group of athletes currently competing at the highest international level. “We have an Olympic project for three athletes who are performing at the top level. These are Patrizia Van der Weken [Athletics], Jeanne Lehair [Triathlon] and Ruben Querinjean [Athletics],” he said. “They are the athletes we currently see competing at the very highest level.”
The event concluded with an informal networking reception over drinks and finger food.
