Current pictures from the ice channel in Cortina. © ANSA / Ufficio stampa Regione Veneto /

Cortina: Was the Olympic ice track sabotaged?

The Italian Ministry of Infrastructure complained on Friday about the sabotage of the ice channel in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

21. February 2025

From: apa

A cooling pipe came loose and was lying in the middle of the road, blocking traffic and causing significant disruption to the construction site of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The incident was reported to the relevant authorities by Government Commissioner Fabio Saldini. An IOC inspection is scheduled for Monday.

"What happened in Cortina, where unknown persons sabotaged the bobsleigh track, is worrying and serious," said the Ministry of Infrastructure headed by Minister Matteo Salvini in a statement. "Those who want to harm the Olympic Games are harming Italy in front of the eyes of the world. The state will not allow itself to be intimidated," continued the press release from the Ministry of Infrastructure in Rome.

The Infrastructure Ministry under Minister Matteo Salvini complains of sabotage. © ANSA / Ufficio stampa Regione Veneto /

Initially, the organizers had considered holding the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions in Innsbruck. However, around a year ago this decision was reversed and the Eugenio Monti track was rebuilt instead. The 120 million euro project caused public discontent both because of the short time until the games and because of the environmental impact.