A new sliding track for Milan Cortina 2026 is a step closer to being built ©Getty Images

Cortina d'Ampezzo Town Council has overwhelmingly backed the demolition of the Eugenio Monti sliding track, allowing for plans to build a new one in its place for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

A vote saw all but one member support the move, with only councillor Roberta de Zanna opposed, according to TGR.

De Zanna was previously supportive of Innsbruck hosting bobsleigh, skeleton and luge in 2026.

However, Milan Cortina 2026 is forging ahead with building a new track on Italian soil.

This will involve replacing the Eugenio Monti sliding centre, which is in a state of disrepair, with a new one. 

Cortina d'Ampezzo is set for a new luge, skeleton and bobsleigh facility ©Getty Images
Cortina d'Ampezzo is set for a new luge, skeleton and bobsleigh facility ©Getty Images

The Eugenio Monti sliding track was one of the venues at the Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 Winter Olympics and later named after the great Italian bobsledder, but closed in 2008.

A new track is expected to cost approximately €80 million (£68.4 million/$83.9 million), nearly double the original price of €41.7 million (£35.7 million/$43.8 million).

The International Olympic Committee had encouraged organisers to explore holding sliding sports outside of Italy, but is satisfied with the plan to build a new venue.

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games is scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, followed by the Paralympics from March 6 to 15.