The International Olympic Committee reiterated that the bobsled track for the Milan-Cortina Games has to be ready by March 2025 and that there will be no “compromise.” Italy is going ahead with a controversial, $90 million plan to rebuild the historic track in Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite fierce opposition from the IOC. Aiming to avoid construction costs and potential white elephant venues, the IOC wanted Italy to use an existing track — with two nearby options in St. Moritz, Switzerland and Igls, Austria.
The International Olympic Committee is still not impressed with Italy’s determination to spend about $90 million rebuilding a historic bobsled track for the 2026 Winter Games. The IOC’s latest statement Wednesday on the public rift came one day after local organizers of the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics moved ahead with a plan to revive a century-old sliding track in the Dolomites ski resort. Aiming to avoid construction costs and potential white elephant venues, the IOC wants the Winter Games opening in just two years’ time to use an existing track — with two nearby options in St. Moritz, Switzerland and Igls, Austria.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Organizers for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics are convinced that they can build a bobsled track in record time amid a standoff with the IOC, which wants an existing foreign venue used instead to cut costs. Italian luger Armin Zöggeler, who won medals at a record six consecutive Winter Games, said the International Olympic Committee’s suggestion of using tracks in nearby Austria or Switzerland doesn’t make sense because neither facility is ready for a modern Olympics. The contentious issue is due to be resolved following a board meeting of the local organizing committee on Tuesday and Milan-Cortina chief executive Andrea Varnier addressed the situation over the weekend.