Milan-Cortina Olympics Sliding Track Passes Initial Tests Amid Construction Challenges

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics sliding track, under construction in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, recently underwent its first test runs. Despite challenges, the Italian government completed the track's structure in a year. Preliminary certification by international sport federations is pending as testing continues with athletes from 12 nations.

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics sliding track in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, recently hosted its first test runs under construction conditions. Despite early skepticism and calls by the International Olympic Committee to shift events to facilities in Austria or Switzerland, the track structure was completed in just over a year.

Italian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini praised the construction firm and the critical journalists who spurred the project forward. Olympic medalist Dominik Fischnaller tested the track after Mattia Gaspari, with further runs completed by athletes in other sliding sports.

Praise for the project's progress came from Simico, the managing government agency. The track's preliminary certification is awaited from international sport federations, crucial for avoiding an alternative plan that could see events moved to Lake Placid, New York.

(With inputs from agencies.)