Overview

• Built under a compressed schedule, the Cortina track was delivered on time, has been tested by athletes, and carries an official reported cost of about €120 million.
• Italy chose to keep sliding events on home soil rather than use existing tracks in Austria or Switzerland, a decision pushed by national authorities including Minister Matteo Salvini.
• Organizers are now finalizing operations, with the opening ceremony set for February 6 at Milan’s San Siro and the torch relay due to start in Italy after the December 4 handover in Athens.
• Local sponsorship stands at roughly €450 million toward a €550 million goal, and about 800,000 of 1.2 million tickets have been sold.
• IOC officials said security planning is advanced for the far‑flung Games and noted potential protest risks along the torch route are being addressed.