Carabinieri police are investigating whether the controversial bobsleigh track in Cortina d’Ampezzo was sabotaged or accidentally damaged. The track is being built for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which Milan and Cortina will co-host.
A refrigeration pipe was found detached in the middle of a nearby street on Friday. Investigators are determining whether it was sabotage or a result of poor installation. Italy is rushing to complete the sliding venue for bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton competitions, which should be tested in March.
Simico, the agency overseeing the infrastructure, said on Friday that the refrigeration pipe was removed from the venue. The committee managing the Olympic infrastructure has filed a criminal complaint, prompting the Carabinieri investigation.
The transport ministry called the alleged sabotage of the bobsleigh track “disquieting.” In a statement, it said: “What happened in Cortina, where unknown individuals sabotaged the bobsleigh track, is disquieting and serious. Those seeking to damage the Olympics are damaging Italy in front of the world. The State will not be intimidated.”
A delegation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will soon visit the construction site for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The bobsleigh track, nearly completed and set for testing next month, has sparked controversy due to the felling of dozens of trees.
Environmental groups have filed complaints over the demolition of the old Monti track and tree-felling for the new facility. Last year, plans for the new track in Cortina were nearly scrapped due to cost concerns, with proposals to hold sliding events outside Italy. The disused Cesana track, built for the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics, was also considered.
Milan and Cortina will host the Winter Olympics from 6 to 22 February 2026, followed by the Paralympics from 6 to 15 March.
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