Alessia Afi Dipol (born 1 August 1995)[1][2][3] is an Italian-Togolesealpine skier who competed for Togo at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in the slalom and giant slalom.[4][5] Dipol also originally competed for India between 2011 and 2013,[6] but she later switched to compete for Togo even though she has no familial connections to the country,[2] so she could qualify to compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics.[2] She also chose to represent the country because her father owns a clothing factory in Togo.[7]
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.[8][10]
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.[11][12]
Dipol on making her debut for the Togo national team:[13]
My father has a factory in Togo that specialises in sports clothes. He has a feeling for the nation, and I have an opportunity to run for Togo, and I am proud of this. Even though I was born in Italy and I live and train in Italy, now I will always stay with Togo, which is like a new family that has adopted me.
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.[14] She did not finish the slalom race after starting the first run.[15] She carried the Togolese flag at the closing ceremony.[16]