Chris Jones provides insights from Italy ahead of the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympics.
Approaching Cortina, remnants of the 1956 Winter Olympics come into view: the idle ski jump, its structure intact, now transformed into a soccer field. The location exudes a serene charm, reminiscent of past sporting glories. Reflecting on the simpler pleasures once enjoyed here is heartening.
During the previous games, Cortina hosted the entire event with the participation of only 32 nations. Figure skating took place outdoors for the final time, with the majestic mountains as witnesses. Despite television’s growing reach, the Olympics remained primarily a live experience.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, jointly held in Cortina, Milan, and various sites across northern Italy, have faced considerable challenges in their planning, crafted as a spectacle tailored for global television audiences.
In Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, a countdown clock marks the days until the Olympics commence. The atmosphere is one of hurried anticipation rather than mere waiting. Discussions among locals about the Olympics have often revolved around the construction delays at the Milano Santagiulia hockey arena.
In picturesque Cortina, the venue for curling, sliding sports, and women’s Alpine events, a similar last-minute hustle and bustle can be felt. The sounds of construction reverberate through the surrounding trees, echoing concerns, as in past winters, about the adequacy of snow on its renowned slopes.
However, amidst the cobbled streets of Cortina, the preparations exude a more festive and promising vibe compared to Milan. Colorful banners adorn every corner, hanging from balconies and adorning woodpiles, honoring 1956 while celebrating the upcoming 2026 event.
While envisioning a successful Olympics may require closing one’s eyes in Milan, in Cortina, a mere squint hints at the likelihood of a positive outcome.
The Stadio Olimpico del Ghiacco, the curling venue, has been renovated from the 1956 hockey rink. This week, the area was still surrounded by construction remnants, including a noticeable amount of ductwork, with the entrance obstructed by trucks and workers in orange safety gear.
The structure itself, with its angular, almost crystalline design made from copper and wood, gleamed beautifully in the sunlight.
The bobsled sliding track is now operational, constructed on the grounds of the original 1956 venue. While the surrounding spectator amenities remain unfinished – to the extent that earthmovers were still clearing rocks this week – World Cup competitions have already taken place on it.
Due to its historical significance, the track is not overly challenging or exhilarating. What once instilled fear in bobsleigh athletes in 1956 now offers a more cerebral test to modern sliders, favoring technical prowess over sheer speed.
