Behind the race suits created by the Chanloung siblings, 'Mark designs, Karen comments,' showcasing Thai identity for the Thai national cross-country ski team at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
On 11 February 2026, the Thai national cross-country ski team’s race suits for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics were unveiled, notably designed by the athletes themselves for world-class competition.
The suits were supported by the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand and divided into two main types: warm-up suits and race suits, along with headbands for use during training and competition.
Color theme: Emphasizes blue, red, and white, reflecting the colors of the Thai national flag.
Patterns: Combines the emblem of the Olympic Committee of Thailand with adapted traditional Thai motifs, prominently featuring the elephant and Naga symbols.
The collaborative work of the Chanloung siblings began in September 2025, with Mark Chanloung as the lead designer and his sister Karen, a fellow national team member, providing feedback as the user.
Mark presented designs to the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand’s committee for continuous review and refinement over more than four months, leading to final approval and production in Italy in December 2025.
With the intention of these suits becoming a long-term symbol for the Thai national team, they will also be used in other major international competitions, such as world championships, to build recognition and showcase Thailand’s identity on the global sports stage.
Mark and Karen Chanloung are Thai-Italian siblings who chose to represent the Thai national team, steadily elevating Thailand’s presence internationally. They debuted at the 2017 Winter Asian Games and helped position Thailand among the top Southeast Asian nations in skiing.
Mark Chanloung
Date of birth: 9 February 1995 (currently 31 years old)
Cross-country skier
National team path: Originally a youth skier for Italy, Mark switched allegiance to Thailand in 2016 out of love for his Thai heritage (his father is from Chanthaburi province).
2018 Winter Olympics: Made his debut and gained attention as one of the notable Thai athletes with impressive performances.
2022 Winter Olympics: Competed for the second time and was honored as Thailand’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
2026 Winter Olympics: Serves as a key member of the Thai team and also acts as the designer of the team’s race suits.
Karen Chanloung
Date of birth: 1 July 1996 (currently 29 years old)
Cross-country skier
National team path: Karen has followed her brother’s footsteps representing Thailand, with both often training and competing internationally together.
2018 Winter Olympics: Made her debut alongside Mark, competing in the women's 10 km freestyle event.
2022 Winter Olympics: Competed for the second time and served as a co-flag bearer with Mark at the opening ceremony.
2026 Winter Olympics: Acts as a key advisor and collaborator to Mark, providing important feedback to optimize the race suits for female athletes.
Upcoming competition schedule
Venue: Tesero Cross Country Skiing Stadium
Karen Chanloung
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Cross-country skiing, 10 km women’s interval start freestyle
Mark Chanloung
Friday, 13 February 2026
Cross-country skiing, 10 km men’s interval start freestyle
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Cross-country skiing, 50 km men’s mass start classic