2026 Olympics, games between Milan, Cortina, Valtellina, Valdifiemme. San Siro opens, closes the Arena di Verona
ROME – The combination of the dynamism of the metropolis and the charm of the Dolomites is one of the keys that have opened the door to success for the Milan-Cortina candidacy for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics (6-22 February and 6-15 March).
A project that focuses on sustainability, with estimated costs of 1.3 billion euros (400 million charged to the IOC), with positive economic effects on GDP for 2.3 billion according to a study by La Sapienza, with the possibility of revenues of up to 3 billion euros according to a Bocconi analysis.
The Games will be spread over four 'clusters' between Lombardy, Veneto and the provinces of Trento and Bolzano: Milan, Valtellina, Cortina and Val di Fiemme.
The opening ceremony in front of the 80 thousand spectators of the San Siro would be the most attended in the history of the Winter Games together with Beijing 2022. The closing one will instead be staged in the suggestive scenery of the Arena di Verona, UNESCO heritage site.
93% of the 14 competition venues already exist (10, of which 4 will be restructured) or temporary (3), only one will be built from scratch (by private investors): it is the PalaItalia Santa Giulia (15 thousand spectators) for the hockey, destined to become a multi-purpose space after the Olympics.
Flanked by the Arena Hockey Milano, a facility closed in 2010 that will be renovated with 7 thousand seats. Figure Skating and Short Track competitions will be held at the Mediolanum Forum. In Valtellina the men's alpine skiing medals will be awarded on the Stelvio track in Bormio, one of the most spectacular in the world, with a lighting system that allows you to compete at night.
For women's alpine skiing there is another venue, in Cortina, on the Tofane. The Pearl of the Dolomites will also be home to curling at the Olympic Stadium (renovated with original wooden stands), bobsleighing, sledging and skeleton at the E. Monti Sliding Center. For biathlon there is the Sudtirol Arena di Anterselva. Snowboarding and feestyle on stage in three locations in Livigno (Carosello 3000, Sitas-Tagliede, Mottolino).
In Val di Fiemme speed skating will be the protagonist on the Piné track, for which there is a project the complete coverage that will make it the highest structure in Europe (1,030 meters above sea level). Cross-country skiing is intended for Tesero. For ski jumping there are the Predazzo trampolines, with a spectacular setting. The Medal Plazas would be set up in Piazza Duomo in Milan and in Cortina.
Athletes and technicians will stay in 6 Olympic villages, on average 20 minutes from the competition venues (5,670 beds): one in Milan (to be built at the abandoned Porta Romana airport), two temporary in Cortina and Livigno, and three in hotels already existing. Adjacent to the village of Cortina, the Mountain Media Center, to which is added the Milan Media Center of the Fiera di Rho-Pero. (source: Ansa)
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Source: Blitz Quotidiano