2023-10-26 19:32:47
A major player in the candidacy and preparations for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, Giovanni Malago openly targets the Società Infrastrutture Milano Cortina 2026 SpA (SIMICO) regarding the problem of the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track whose drop point remains unresolved.
Giovanni Malago, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), also President of the Organizing Committee for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, and member of the International Olympic Committee, Thursday October 26, 2023 in Rome, Italy (Credits – Roberto Di Tondo / CONI)
Faced with a confusing and persistent situation regarding the location of the site which will host in less than three years the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions during the 2026 Winter Games, the President of the Organizing Committee, also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), has decided to step up to the plate.
The one who has always been a tough defender of the option relating to the site of Cortina d’Ampezzo – host of the 1956 Olympic Games – had already made a notable speech on the sidelines of the 141st Session of the Olympic institution which took place held earlier this month in Bombay (India).
During his intervention, Giovanni Malago then suggested the abandonment of the initial choice, following the unsuccessful call for tenders conducted at the beginning of summer 2023 at the initiative of SMICO, the body responsible for supervising the establishment and progress of work on the infrastructure necessary for the Games.
As he stated:
We were informed just two days ago by the government that we needed to find a better, more sustainable solution, using already existing and functional equipment.
As a result, Milan-Cortina 2026 must identify another venue outside Italy.
We are already working to explore all possible solutions and alternatives with the IOC and the International Federations, before submitting the choice to our Board of Directors for final approval. In this regard, it is important to emphasize that a decision like this will have an impact on the operation and will have consequences on the budget of the Organizing Committee.
In finea departure outside the transalpine borders now seems to be seen as a last resort, with the organizers and public authorities keen to favor the study of a national option.
Also, Cortina d’Ampezzo could return to the race, on the condition however of a drastic reduction in the size of the project estimated at 85 million euros, but the bill for which could easily exceed 100 million.
Another existing site – requiring lesser work costing 34 million euros – could also become necessary less than three years before the opening of the Games, namely Cesana, which was the host of the aforementioned competitions during the Turin 2006 Games.
But while discussions will still continue at the end of October and part of November 2023 to make a decision and formalize the new site in consultation with the IOC and the International Federations concerned, Giovanni Malago today showed a certain frustration with the situation.
Taking advantage of the meeting of the National Council of CONI, the leader Italian targeted SIMICO without naming the latter according to comments cited by “Rai News”.
As Giovanni Malago explained this Thursday, October 26, 2023:
Milan-Cortina? We organize the event. We do not build the works. There is a company that has been prepared and founded to carry out the essential and synergistic works for the Games.
The world of sport is an interested spectator and victim of this situation.
Someone, 4 years, 3 months and 23 days after the Games were awarded, told us: “Sorry, we can no longer build the facilities and the track because the tender was unsuccessful”. It is reality. And when were we told this? Twenty-four hours until the IOC Session, but we’ll get to the bottom of it.
By displaying obvious determination, Giovanni Malago is undoubtedly trying to reaffirm his authority, even though the preparations for the 2026 Games are facing major challenges, in terms of logistics, respecting the calendar, and controlling the costs.
So many challenges and uncertainties have led the Italian government led by Giorgia Meloni to take back control over the past months, in particular through the regular holding of summit meetings between the different parties associated with the Olympic and Paralympic project.
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