The process of selecting a backup location for the sliding events of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games is still ongoing, as confirmed by Darcy Rowe Norfolk, the Director of Communications for the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA).
ORDA, which is responsible for managing and operating the potential venues in Lake Placid, is waiting for further discussions with the Italian Organising Committee to clarify their roles and responsibilities if Lake Placid, New York is chosen as the alternative option. Lake Placid is one of the three potential backup locations, alongside St. Moritz, Switzerland and Igls/Innsbruck, Austria.
This need for a backup arises from concerns about the timely completion of the bobsleigh track in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, which is over a century old. The construction of the bobsleigh track, which was closed in 2008, is expected to be finished by March 2025, but there are still obstacles to overcome. A decision on the alternative location is expected to be made by the Milan-Cortina Executive Committee in early October, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) making the final decision by the end of the month.
In February, the Milan-Cortina Organising Committee appointed the Parma-based construction company Impresa Pizzarotti & C. to rebuild the Cortina track. It will be the first time that a modern sliding track will be completed in such a short period of time. However, Ivo Ferriani, the President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and IOC Winter Sports President, expressed confidence in June that the Italian organising committee will meet the deadline.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, which will take place from 6-22 February 2026, will have 16 events in three sliding sports: bobsleigh, skeleton and luge. If Lake Placid is chosen and activated as the backup location, the athletes will be accommodated at Paul Smith’s College and the medal ceremonies could be held in New York City. Proposed test events include the IBSF Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships from 3-16 March 2025 and an unofficial FIL Luge World Cup from 1-5 December 2025.
