Olympic bid shifts shape as event plans surface beyond national borders
Giovanni Malago, who leads the 2026 Winter Games organizing committee, indicated that the bobsleigh and luge events would take place outside Italy. The announcement came during a briefing covered by RIA News.
Malago explained that the government advised turning away from building a new bobsled venue in Cortina and instead using an existing site elsewhere. Consequently, the organizing committee must identify an alternative location beyond Italy.
During the IOC Executive Committee meeting on March 28, there was a proposal regarding the status of Russian athletes. The plan suggested allowing those athletes to compete under a neutral flag if they refrain from publicly supporting military operations. Athletes affiliated with law enforcement agencies or armed forces would be barred from participation.
On October 12, the IOC announced the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) until further notice, after the Olympic Councils representing the DPR, LPR, and regions such as Zaporozhye and Kherson were incorporated into the Russian organization. The IOC also noted that it reserved the right to determine, at a later time, whether Russian athletes could be admitted to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Former Italian biathlete Dorothea Wierer weighed in, stating that the sporting world should stand united after Russian athletes faced exclusion from international competition.
These developments underscore how geopolitical tensions can shape the planning and eligibility rules surrounding major international competitions. Stakeholders in Italy and beyond are tracking how the balance between hosting capabilities and geopolitical constraints will influence the schedule and logistics of the 2026 Games, including venue selection, athlete eligibility, and the handling of neutral status for athletes from affected nations.
In the broader context, organizers emphasize a commitment to ensuring fair competition while adhering to evolving international standards and sanctions. The discussions reflect a cautious approach to balancing competitive integrity with the realities of global politics, a dynamic that continues to unfold as the event timeline tightens and host cities assess all viable options for showcasing winter sport at the highest level. (RIA News)