Testing Begins at Cortina’s Controversial Olympic Sliding Track

Testing Underway: The first test runs for bobsled, luge, and skeleton have been successfully completed on the Cortina track structure.

Key Athletes: Italian skeleton racer Mattia Gaspari, luger Dominik Fischnaller, and bobsledders Simone Bertazzo and Eric Fantazzini were among the first down the track. Athletes from 12 nations are involved.

Track Still Incomplete: Testing is happening under a temporary roof as the €118 million ($128 million) facility is still under construction, with completion expected in November.

Controversial Rebuild: The project proceeded despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommending the use of existing tracks in neighboring countries to save costs.

Next Steps: The track requires 'pre-homologation' (preliminary certification) from international sports federations (IBSF, FIL) and the IOC based on these initial tests and further assessments planned for the fall.

Why this matters: Successful testing and certification are crucial to keep the sliding events in Cortina for the 2026 Games and avoid moving them to a backup venue like Lake Placid, USA. It's a key milestone for Italian organizers facing tight timelines and IOC scrutiny.

Q: Is the Cortina sliding track ready for the Olympics?

A: Not yet. While the track structure is in place and initial testing has begun, the facility is still under construction. It needs final completion and official certification from sports federations and the IOC.

Q: Why was building this track controversial?

A: The main points of contention were the high cost (around €118 million) and environmental concerns, especially when the IOC suggested using existing, operational tracks in nearby Austria or Switzerland.

Q: What happens if the track isn't approved in time?

A: The IOC has required a backup plan ('Plan B'). If the Cortina track cannot be certified and made ready, the bobsled, luge, and skeleton events could be moved to an alternative venue, potentially Lake Placid in the USA.

The 2026 Olympic sliding track in Cortina has started testing, a key step towards being ready for the Games.

The project remains controversial due to its high cost and the availability of alternative venues.

Successful completion and certification are needed by fall 2025 to avoid moving events overseas.

This development impacts Olympic athletes needing to train on the new track, organizers managing tight deadlines, and discussions about the cost and sustainability of Olympic infrastructure.

Source 1: Testing begins at Cortina’s controversial Olympic sliding track for bobsled, luge and skeleton (AP News){}

Source 2: Olympics-Italy’s new sliding centre for 2026 Games passes initial tests (Reuters via WSAU){}