Alessia Dipol
Alessia Afi Dipol is an Italian-Togolese alpine skier who competed for Togo at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in the Alpine [skiing at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Women's slalom|slalom] and giant slalom. Dipol also originally competed for India between 2011 and 2013, but she later switched to compete for Togo even though she has no familial connections to the country, so she could qualify to compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics. She also chose to represent the country because her father owns a clothing factory in Togo.
Personal life
Dipol was born in Pieve di Cadore, Belluno to Italian parents in the region of Veneto in Italy and lives with her family in San Vito di Cadore. She attended the Liceo Linguistico Europeo school in Auronzo di Cadore.Dipol works as a ski instructor for the Italian ski club Scuola Sci Cortina.
Career
Italy
Dipol started her youth career while registered with the Italian Winter Sports Federation between 2009 and 2010.India
Dipol joined the Winter Games Federation of India making her debut for India in 2011. She took part in FIS competitions and the Italian Championships representing India until 2013.Togo
Dipol decided to compete as part of Togo's first Winter Olympics team at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi. Although she has no family ties to Togo, Dipol became a naturalized citizen in order to take part in the Winter Olympics.Dipol on making her debut for the Togo national team:
On 18 February Dipol finished the giant slalom race in 55th position out of 74 competitors who finished, with a total time of 3 minutes 2.80 seconds. She did not finish the slalom race after starting the first run. She carried the Togolese flag at the closing ceremony.
She also participated in 2015 FIS Alpine Ski Europa Cup and 2018 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.