Limitless Olympics

We have to save. This can no longer be denied, even if it is not entirely true. Only those who have something left over that they can put aside can save money. That's a minority. The majority must therefore try to spend less because there is no longer as much available as before due to continued unchecked inflation. In addition, inflation is having a huge impact in many areas of our lives. Expenses remain and increase, income shrinks. It's a vicious circle that can perhaps be countered with a little imagination and unusual measures. That's why the idea of bringing the bobsleigh and toboggan run in Innsbruck into play for the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo is definitely worth one or more considerations. The pista olimpica “Eugenio Monti” in Cortina cannot simply be renovated.

A new railway is needed, at least on the site of the old one, which was famous. “On a Deadly Mission” was the name of the James Bond film that was filmed here, although a stuntman actually lost his life back then. No race has been held here since 2008. The railway was closed. Now 61 million euros have been allocated for a new project. You can no longer fall back on the 2006 games in Turin. It was completely dismantled almost exactly ten years ago. However, you couldn't save the money entirely, because the railway in Innsbruck-Igls also needs to be thoroughly renovated. Part of the estimated costs for a new building in Italy could be used for this, which the North Tyrolean advocates of this idea had already suggested. Of course, it is clear to me what enormous bureaucratic effort would be necessary to push 20 or even 30 million across the border. After all, in Italy you would only get permission to hold the Olympic competitions there and not a new track of your own. That's not much, which is why the resistance is of course initially great. Senza confini back in 1999 The cross-border idea is not new. Back in 1999, Klagenfurt applied for the 2006 Olympic Games together with Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Slovenia. “Senza confini” was the motto. “Brez meja” (Slovenian) or “Without Borders”. It was a great attempt and also a great application. But at that time, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was not yet ready to allow games in three different countries with the exclusive use of existing sports facilities. At the time, the opponent also had the financially stronger arguments on his side. Money didn't matter to Gianni Agnelli. He got the games in Turin. Incidentally, the President of the IOC at the time was Juan-Antonio Samaranch, who felt more comfortable with his friend, the Italian industrial tycoon, than with the romanticized actors in the three-country bid. Franz Klemm and his boundlessly optimistic colleagues left the 109th General Assembly in Seoul early. In the end, the decision was made for Turin against Sion (Switzerland). Is the time now ripe for “Senza Confini”? If at all, there is probably no chance until 2034 at the earliest, because in 2030 it will probably be North America's turn again with good chances again for Salt Lake City.

Presumably there would no longer be any major reservations from Lausanne at the IOC against holding the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions in Innsbruck, especially since the events in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo are already completely torn apart with the many different venues. Innsbruck wouldn't go beyond the scope. From Milan to Antholz, where the biathlon competitions are held, it is 360 km. Travel time in optimal traffic conditions is around four and a half hours if the tunnels under Kiens and Percha are finished by then. Innsbruck (398 km) also takes four and a half hours from Milan, the main location for the 2026 Games, although the toll costs will probably also have a significant impact. Back in 2006, I had to pay my toll at every toll station when driving from Cesana (biathlon) to Turin for figure skating.

The official accreditation was of no use because the private motorway operators had nothing to do with the Olympic Games. You should perhaps also think about this when organizing the 2026 Games. But of course these are small things given other budgets. And yet it would be important to send signals to everyone involved that we are prepared to keep a close and detailed eye on the expenditure side. For all. The rides on the ice track in Innsbruck-Igls could contribute to this. It would definitely be worth a try, although I'm realistic enough to think the chances of it happening are rather slim. “Senza confini” was more than just an Olympic bid back then. It was and still is a dream in a Europe that, even with the Schengen agreement, is still building borders rather than releasing them.

About the person: Sigi Heinrich The renowned sports journalist, author and award-winning Eurosport commentator (including winner of the German Television Prize and the Bavarian Sports Prize) not only dedicates his column “Sigi's Spitze” to the entire diversity of sport. He also deals with topics outside of his usual profession. Sometimes very seriously, often with a mischievous wink and sometimes deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone.

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