In Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, final preparations for the upcoming Winter Olympics are in full swing. Despite the picturesque setting of the Olympic slopes under the towering Dolomite peaks, a frenzy of construction activity is taking place just meters away from the competition venues. With the curling tournament set to kick off on Wednesday and the women’s downhill training scheduled for Thursday, organizers are feeling the heat to get everything ready on time.
One of the major challenges facing the organizers is the completion of essential infrastructure. While a brand-new sliding center was finished just in time for the Games, a crucial cable car project meant to transport spectators to the Alpine skiing events on the Tofane is running behind schedule. This delay has prompted organizers to seek temporary school closures in Cortina to alleviate the strain on the local transportation system.
Despite the last-minute rush to finish construction and landscaping work, Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi reassured that all necessary facilities for athletes are ready. He acknowledged that some areas might still need finishing touches post-Games, but emphasized that these minor details will not impact the overall experience for participants and spectators.
Meanwhile, IOC president Kirsty Coventry expressed confidence in the progress made so far, stating that the preparations are on track. The Milano Cortina organizing committee did not provide an immediate response to inquiries from Reuters regarding the ongoing developments.
The Winter Olympics, set to run from Feb. 6-22, will mark the most geographically dispersed Games in Olympic history. Nearly 3,000 athletes from 93 countries will compete across six Olympic villages spread out over 22,000 square kilometers in Northern Italy. The event will feature 116 contests in eight sports and 16 disciplines on ice and snow.