ROME (AP) — The fundamental framework of the track has been completed, with preparations for the ice underway. In the upcoming week, 60 athletes are scheduled to test the controversial sliding center for the Milan-Cortina Olympics next year.
“The track’s structure has been finalized according to our timeline set for March 16, and we have met that deadline,” stated Fabio Saldini, the government commissioner overseeing the renovation of the century-old track in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. The construction crew marked Sunday’s achievement by placing a branch of an evergreen tree across the track as a symbolic starting point, akin to bobsled teams propelling themselves down the track.
“We are optimistic that excitement will steadily rise in anticipation of this significant event,” said Luca Zaia, the president of the Veneto region, which encompasses Cortina. The team of 20 workers working around the clock on ice preparation is expected to complete their task by Sunday. Subsequently, bobsled, luge, and skeleton athletes will conduct test runs starting Monday to obtain preliminary certification — known as homologation — for the track. Accompanying them will be 26 coaches and officials from the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, International Luge Federation, and the International Olympic Committee.
Obtaining preliminary approval would help avert the need for the backup Plan B, as requested by the IOC, which involved relocating the sliding sports to Lake Placid, New York, in the event the Italian track isn’t ready in time.
Saldini mentioned, “Currently, half of the ice has been laid. Despite challenges faced last week due to adverse weather conditions, we managed to overcome them by covering the track with nets and then applying additional ice yesterday.”
Security measures have been enhanced around the track since an incident last month where a refrigeration tube was reportedly tampered with and placed across a road in an act of sabotage, as reported by the government agency, Simico.
Aside from the sliding competitions, Cortina is set to host the women’s Alpine skiing and curling events during the Winter Games. In preparation, pre-fabricated mobile homes are being assembled this month to accommodate up to 1,400 athletes in an Athletes’ Village in Cortina, which will also serve as housing during the Paralympics.___AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/winter-olympics
