The Italian sliding track was inaugurated on Tuesday after a series of setbacks, controversies, and 13 months of construction.
Hailed as the ‘Italian Miracle,’ the host nation’s Mattia Gaspari has already made history on the track in the Dolomites, which will be in action from February 6 to 22 in 2026.
The 31-year-old skeleton specialist , who was 14th at Beijing 2022, was the first to race down the much-discussed Cortina track s part of its pre-certification process to ensure its safety for competitors.
Matteo Salvini, the second-in-command and Minister of Transport in Ms Giorgia Meloni’s government, never doubted the project after it started on February 2024.
“I want to thank the workers who came from all over the world to Cortina to create this miracle that represents Italy so well,” the Italian deputy premier said.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Italian engineers and architects are without equal in the world,” added Mr Salvini, comparing the sliding track to Filippo Brunelleschi’s famed 15th-century dome over Florence Cathedral.
“History is full of Italians who dared. At the time, it was said of this dome that it would never last. Six centuries later, it’s still there. This will also apply to those who say these Olympic Games are too expensive.”
The final work, including changing rooms, start and finish areas, will be completed by November.
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