Cortina Bobsleigh Project on ice for the moment as government leaders and bobsleigh federation push to proceed

The saga of the proposed reconstruction of the famed “Eugenio Monti” bobsleigh track continues with more unexpected twists and turns, and not the kind that the pilots will navigate.

No longer just facing backlash from environmentalist groups and citizens opposing the exorbitant costs, now, the Italian Superintendency of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape wants to preserve the historical integrity of the renovation project, further complicating matters for Milano Cortina 2026 organizers. Veneto region president Luca Zaia insists the region will continue to fully support the project and provide all costs involved in the renovation of the historic Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956 Olympic sporting venue.

Potentially adding to complexity of the project is the resignation of Italian prime minister Mario Draghi last week, following the collapse of his national unity government. His successor will be determined at a snap election on Sept. 25, as Italy faces turmoil and uncertainty, which could complicate carrying out the masterplan for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

Considering the recent involvement of the Italian Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, the estimated 85 million Euro bobsleigh and skeleton track project has been temporarily suspended. The public body, which controls renovations or work on historical sites in Italy, has begun the procedure for the recognition of the remarkable interest of the work, while reviewing details of the project. Significant changes to the track by future designers must be approved as it is considered a historical monument in Italy as it was a signature venue at the 1956 Winter Olympics.

Yet, despite the current suspension of the extensive work required, Veneto region president Luca Zaia continues to emphasize that the “It is an important work and the new track is the emblem of the Games.” The Veneto region summarizes the project as “tangible enthusiasm.”

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and its president and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Ivo Ferriani also continue to express staunch support for the project, which will honor Italy’s greatest bobsleigh pilot and six-time Olympic medalist Eugenio Monti, a recipient of the IOC’s Pierre de Coubertin medal for sportsmanship.

Milano Cortina 2026 leaders, which won its bid to host the Games with the slogan “We Dream Together” continue to promise sustainability and legacy for the bobsleigh, skeleton and luge track reconstruction and its continued use beyond 2026.

In February, Milano Cortina 2026 chief executive officer Luigi Valerio Sant’Andrea was appointed extraordinary commissioner to speed up the construction procedures. However, he must now cooperate with, appease and respect the work of the Superintendency.

The move by the Superintendency to declare the track of considerable interest has a first effect concerning the times. The Municipality of Cortina was given 80 days to present its deductions and the procedure must, in any case, be defined within 120 days.

In the meantime, a safeguard in place is that the old runway cannot be demolished, as Commissioner Sant’Andrea would have liked to do. The Veneto Region was aware it was necessary to deal with a specific landscape authorization, but apparently did not seem overly concerned. In the “technical report” of the technical-economic feasibility project, reference is made to the existence of a “declaration of notable public interest” of the entire Municipality of Cortina d’Ampezzo, which dates to 1952.

The report further states: “Consequently, any intervention not expressly excluded must obtain a specific landscape authorization from the ‘Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape’, this therefore also applies to this project for which verification of the applicability of the cultural interest must be evaluated.”

An illustrated presentation of the project during the recent IBSF Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland was summarized by the Veneto Region: “At the sight of the images of Cortina shown in Lausanne, those of the historic Belvedere, Bandion and Cristallo curves that will also remain in the redevelopment, a tangible enthusiasm. Many of the participants had a vivid memory of one of the most iconic places in the world for these winter sports – Cortina, where part of those present also competed and left part of their sporting heart.”

IBSF president Ivo Ferriani commented: “The participants in the congress congratulated the choices made to recover one of the symbolic places of winter sports. Each took very positively the invitation of the engineer of the Region, Elisabetta Pellegrini, to use the track for major post-Olympic sporting events.”

Zaia added: “We will continue to collaborate with Commissioner Sant’Andrea by monitoring the times: the bobsleigh track will be under special surveillance.”

Para Bob in 2026?

Bobsleigh, skeleton, luge and Para-bob are planned to all be accessible at the future Italian sliding track and refrigeration plant.

Ferriani has noted all efforts are being made in a request that Para-bob be included on the 2026 Paralympics sport program. The track is being designed as the first in the world to fully accommodate para-sport.

The Cortina sliding track was opened for international competition in 1923 and underwent four renovations before it fell into ruin in 2008. At the 1956 Olympics, the track provided a stern test with 16 curves at a length of 1,720 meters. Nine world championships have also been contested at the Cortina venue, the most recent in 1999.

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