The story of Regina Martinez is not the typical one of an Olympic athlete. In her life she has combined medicine, soccer and, now, an unusual challenge for a Mexican: cross-country skiing, a discipline in which she will compete in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, with the goal of making a difference for Mexico.
Regina studied medicine and has always defined herself as someone who seeks adrenaline and intense challenges. She played soccer since she was a child and practiced it for years, even in advanced stages of her university education. That athletic background was key to her being able to make the leap to a totally different sport, in which physical and mental endurance is fundamental.
From a Minnesota winter to an Olympic dream
What is most surprising is that his Olympic dream was not born on a snowy mountain, but in a difficult moment far from home.
Living in Minnesota, USA, Regina Martinez faced for the first time an extreme winter and a completely different environment than in Mexico.
Between the snow, the isolation and the emotional impact of the change, he asked himself a life-changing question:
How many Mexicans have reached the Winter Olympic Games?
That doubt led her to learn about a story that inspired her deeply:
That of Germán Madrazo, who competed in PyeongChang 2018 after having started in cross-country skiing shortly before, and at an age considered late for high performance.
That example made him think that the impossible could be achievable.
Conquered the World Cup on the road to Milano Cortina 2026
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Regina Martinez was not alone with the idea.
She dared to contact Madrazo and, to her surprise, he responded and traveled more than 2,000 kilometers to train her in Minnesota for a week in early 2020.
There, the foundations were laid for a sports project that grew rapidly.
A year later, Regina Martinez took a huge step forward by becoming the first Mexican to compete in a Nordic skiing World Championship.
Opening a path that did not exist before in the women’s category for Mexico.
His progress is also reflected in his numbers.
At the Oberstdorf 2021 World Cup, she finished 118th out of 122 competitors.
But three years later, at Trondheim 2024, he improved to 77th place and achieved a key result:
Lower than 300 FIS points, which allowed securing an Olympic quota for Mexico in women’s cross-country skiing.
She asked herself a question that changed her life
QuéOnnda.com
When does Milano Cortina 2026 compete?
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According to the schedule, Regina Martinez will compete in the women’s 10-kilometer race on Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 AM ET.
Until now, Mexico has had Olympic presence in this discipline only in the men’s category:
Roberto Álvarez (Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992), Germán Madrazo (PyeongChang 2018) and Jonathan Soto (Beijing 2022).
Now, Regina Martínez aims to become the first Mexican woman to do so on the highest stage.
Because their goal is not just to compete: it is to make history.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
