by InTrieste
Amidst anticipation for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the event’s commencement as it grapples with a rocky start.
In recent months, murmurs of discord between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Milano-Cortina Games committee have surfaced, centering primarily on the fate of the venerable Cortina d’Ampezzo bobsled track. The longstanding controversy revolves around whether to refurbish the historic track or relocate the Games altogether.
With the clock ticking and the Olympics drawing near, deliberations have intensified over the fate of Cortina. The IOC floated the idea of shifting the event to St. Moritz, Switzerland, or Igls, Austria, citing cost-efficiency concerns. However, the Italian government has stood firm, advocating for the preservation of Cortina as the host venue. Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Italian Finance Minister, emphasized the nation’s reluctance to fund the event in a foreign arena.
After protracted negotiations, a consensus emerged between the IOC and the local organizing committee to retain Cortina as the host site. Renovation plans have been entrusted to Parma-based construction firm Impresa Pizzarotti & C., with a staggering budget of 81.6 million euros ($88 million) allocated for the overhaul. Construction is slated to commence on February 19, marking a pivotal step towards salvaging the historic track.
The Cortina track, inaugurated for the 1956 Winter Games, witnessed its last race in 2008 before falling into disuse. Despite Italy boasting the Cesana Pariol track from the 2006 Torino Games, the ambitious endeavor of demolishing and reconstructing Cortina has raised eyebrows within the IOC, casting doubts on the feasibility of completing such a monumental task within the stipulated timeframe.
Sustainability and legacy concerns have further fueled the contentious debate surrounding the Games’ venue. The IOC’s emphasis on utilizing existing infrastructure underscores the imperative of devising a sustainable legacy plan for permanent venues. This stance has ignited fiery exchanges between the IOC and Italian policymakers, underscoring the divergent visions for the event’s future and its environmental impact.
As construction forges ahead, spectators eagerly await the outcome, cognizant that the timely completion of renovations will dictate Cortina’s fate as the bobsled event’s host. Should Impresa Pizzarotti & C. falter in meeting the stringent March 2025 deadline, discussions will inevitably resume to explore alternative locations, prolonging the saga of uncertainty surrounding the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
