nytimes.com
Milan-Cortina 2026: A Multi-City Approach to Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics, opening in Milan on February 6th and closing in Verona on February 22nd, will use a multi-city approach across four main centers (Cortina d'Ampezzo, Milan, Val di Fiemme, and Valtellina) to reduce costs and expand audience engagement, marking a shift from the traditional single-host-city model due to rising concerns over cost and waning interest.
- What are the primary factors driving the adoption of the multi-city hosting model for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and what are its immediate consequences?
- The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will use a multi-city approach, spreading events across four main centers to reduce costs and engage a wider population. This model, a departure from traditional single-city hosting, has been adopted due to past cost concerns and waning interest in hosting the Games. The Games, opening February 6th, 2026, mark Italy's return to hosting after 20 years.
- How does the multi-city approach of Milan-Cortina 2026 differ from previous Winter Olympics, and what are its potential long-term effects on the event's structure and cost?
- Concerns over the escalating costs of hosting the Winter Olympics led the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to relax its requirements for a single host city, resulting in the decentralized model of Milan-Cortina 2026. This decision followed several European cities withdrawing their bids for the 2022 Games due to cost anxieties, prompting a shift towards a more geographically dispersed approach.
- What are the key challenges and potential risks associated with the multi-city hosting model for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, particularly regarding infrastructure and logistics?
- The Milan-Cortina 2026 model may influence future Winter Olympics, potentially setting a precedent for more cost-effective and geographically diverse hosting strategies. The success or failure of this approach will significantly impact future bidding processes and the overall sustainability of the Winter Games. However, challenges remain, such as the completion of the Cortina sliding center, which is currently under construction.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games primarily through the positive lens of Eve Muirhead, a former Olympic champion and current chef de mission. Her enthusiastic comments about the 'cluster' approach and the alpine setting dominate the narrative. While challenges are mentioned, the overall tone emphasizes the positive aspects, potentially downplaying potential problems or controversies. The headline, if one existed, would likely further emphasize this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual. However, phrases like "massive positive" and descriptions of the Games as 'perfect' could be interpreted as subjective and potentially leaning towards a positive bias. More objective language could strengthen the article's neutrality. For example, instead of "massive positive," the author could write "significant advantage" or "positive development.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the logistical and financial aspects of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, particularly the challenges of the spread-out venues and the delays in constructing the sliding center. However, it gives less attention to the potential social and environmental impacts of hosting the Games in multiple locations across a vast geographical area. The article also omits discussion of potential controversies or criticisms surrounding the Games' organization or impact on local communities.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic eitheor framing when discussing the success or failure of the IOC's experiment with Beijing 2022. It suggests that because the subsequent Games returned to more traditional models, the Beijing experiment 'did not completely work.' This overlooks the multiple complex factors involved in the success or failure of an Olympic Games, and that Beijing may still have been considered successful in terms of audience reach, despite a departure from previous norms.
Gender Bias
The article centers around Eve Muirhead's perspective and experiences. While this is understandable given her role, it could be improved by including perspectives from other key figures involved in the Games' organization, or athletes from other sports besides curling and skiing. This would offer a more balanced representation of voices and experiences.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics utilize a "cluster" approach, spreading events across existing venues to minimize environmental impact and maximize resource utilization. This approach promotes sustainable urban development and reduces the strain on single host cities. The focus on utilizing existing infrastructure reduces the need for extensive new construction, thus minimizing the environmental footprint of the games. This aligns directly with SDG 11, specifically target 11.2 which aims to "provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport".