Magharebia

Moroccan alpine skier Sarah Ben Mansour and Algerian skiers Laura Douibi and Bentoumi Noureddine will compete at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics set to kick off Friday (10 February). They will try to prove that athletes from non-skiing countries can compete in the Olympics. Skiers from Ghana and Ethiopia will also represent Africa.

Algeria is participating in the Winter Olympics for the first time. "Representing Algeria at the Olympics is a dream that comes true," Douibi said. She will take part in the downhill, giant slalom and super giant slalom, while her compatriot Noureddine will compete in cross-country skiing. (AFP)