Olympic ice track posse: decision postponed until January

The ice track issue for the 2026 Winter Olympics continues to concern Italy. A solution to the problem should be available by the end of January. There was a government meeting in Rome on Wednesday, but it remained inconclusive.

06 December 2023

From: cst

There was speculation that the Italian government in Rome would present a solution to the ice track posse on Wednesday. However, the result after the meeting was: the decision was postponed. At the end of January, Italy wants to present the solution for the venue for the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton races at the Winter Olympics - the organizing committee said on Wednesday evening.

Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini from the Lega had campaigned within the government for the construction of a new railway in Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had ruled out a new building if there was no viable plan for subsequent use. The old railway in Cortina was demolished in the summer. The renovation of the 2006 Olympic track in the winter sports resort of Cesana is also under discussion, although it has been closed since 2011.

The ice channel in Igls (here Leon Haselrieder) would be an option. © Photo Hermann Sobe / Hermann Sobe

Another option is to move the competitions abroad, which some Italian politicians - especially from the right-wing parties - do not like. Igls (North Tyrol) or St. Moritz (Switzerland) would be possible options. Recently, Germany also entered into discussions and even officially applied to host the competitions. Hosting competitions outside the host country would be a first in the history of the Winter Games.