Activists in Milan protest against the 2026 Winter Olympics. GETTY IMAGES

Nearly a thousand people took to the streets of Milan to denounce the construction of infrastructure for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The protests were a warning of the potential negative impact on the mountains and the cost of housing in Italian cities.

A thousand demonstrators and activists took to the streets of Milan last Saturday to protest against the construction of infrastructure for Milano-Cortina 2026, including the controversial bobsleigh track for the event. The march was organised by the pressure group "Unsustainable Games Committee". 

It is a network of walking groups, environmental activists, heritage associations and left-wing political movements. The march argues that the event will have a negative impact on the environment in Italy's mountains and on the cost of housing in Milan. They have organised other smaller protests over the past week. 

The protest was organised by the pressure group
The protest was organised by the pressure group "Unsustainable Games Committee". GETTY IMAGES

"I am here to defend the environment against an unsustainable development model. The mountains are increasingly becoming the prey of speculators. We want more protection there too," said Simona Antonioli, a 29-year-old nurse, as quoted by AFP.

The Italian government announced earlier this month that the bobsleigh track for the Games would be built in Cortina d'Ampezzo, despite opposition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The announcement came after organisers said the sliding events would be held outside Italy. 

Protesters argue that the environmental impact on the mountains will be irreversible. GETTY IMAGES
Protesters argue that the environmental impact on the mountains will be irreversible. GETTY IMAGES

There has been a controversy over the construction of the bobsleigh track. The IOC said the €82m (£88.6m) project might not be ready in time for the extensive testing required before the Games. It also said it would be of little long-term benefit to local residents.

Italian contractor Pizzarotti has 13 months to build the 1,445-metre track. It has 16 bends and requires complex cooling systems. "The mountains are not an amusement park," said protester Alberto Di Monte, 38. "Turning the mountains into a track means having the wrong idea about mountains," he added.

Some of the protesters pointed out that some of the projects still on the table could be blocked. There are also serious doubts about whether there will be enough time to complete them before the Games. 

Indeed, some Italian government officials have recently stated that it is not clear whether they will be ready in time. The delays in some of the projects are worrying.