The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has sharply criticized Italy’s decision to build an Olympic ice track for the 2026 Winter Games and called for a Plan B in case the project fails. Both the IOC and the responsible world associations have strong doubts about the timely completion of the track for the sled competitions in Cortina d’Ampezzo, it said in a statement. The Ministry of Infrastructure in Rome had previously awarded the Italian construction company Pizzarotti the contract to build the ice track.
“No track has ever been built in such a short period of time,” emphasized the IOC, referring to the deadlines for the necessary tests and inspection procedures for an Olympic ice track. The track would have to be finished by March 2025 in order to be eligible for the 2026 Olympics. The IOC asked the organizing committee of the Milan and Cortina Winter Games to prepare a backup plan in the event of construction delays so that the Olympic competitions in bobsleigh, luge and skeleton are secured.
The IOC does not consider a new building necessary
The umbrella organization has recently repeatedly advocated the use of an existing railway abroad. It was said that a new building or expensive renovation of a competition venue was not necessary. The new building project in Cortina is not sustainable and the question of subsequent use after the 2026 Olympics has not been answered, criticized the IOC. In addition, the technical requirements for an Olympic ice track would not be met. This could increase costs and challenges for the organizers.
However, Italy’s government insists on holding the sledding competitions in its own country. According to current data, the new ice track will cost 81.6 million euros. The IOC warned that the entire cost of building the railway and the necessary infrastructure would have to be paid for from public funds.