With the Milan-Cortina Olympics just 100 days away, preparations are in full swing in northern Italy for what will be the most geographically expansive Winter Games ever. The event will be spread out across multiple locations, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo serving as the main clusters of the Games. These two cities are over 400 kilometers apart, necessitating a full day of travel between them.
Apart from Milan and Cortina, athletes will also compete in three additional mountain clusters, with the closing ceremony scheduled to take place in Verona, the largest city in the northeastern Veneto region. The organizers have opted to utilize existing infrastructure for the Games, although some venues are undergoing renovations or being constructed from scratch.
In Milan, the iconic San Siro Stadium will host the opening ceremony, set to bid farewell as it is slated for demolition post the event. The Santagiulia Arena, a new 16,000-seat venue for hockey competitions, is on a tight construction schedule but is expected to be ready by the end of the year. The Ice Park, housing ice hockey and speed skating events, will be spread across the Fiera Milano exhibition venue.
In Cortina, the Tofane alpine skiing center, Olympia delle Tofane course, and Curling Olympic Stadium are key venues. The rebuilt Cortina Sliding Centre faced challenges but has now impressed the International Olympic Committee. Bormio will host men’s alpine skiing and ski mountaineering events, while Livigno will be the hub for snowboarding and freestyle skiing competitions.
Predazzo and Tesero will host ski jumping and cross-country skiing events, respectively. Anterselva, known for its biathlon history, will showcase the biathlon competition in its renowned biathlon arena. The Games will culminate with the closing ceremony at the historic Verona Arena, offering a grand finale to the Olympic festivities.
The Milan-Cortina Olympics promise a diverse and scenic backdrop for the world’s top winter athletes, with Italy showcasing its rich sporting heritage across the various event locations. The anticipation is building as the countdown to the opening ceremony continues.