Lake Placid Backup Plan For 2026 Winter Olympics

Ashley Farquharson of the United States competes during the women's sprint race at the Luge World Cup in Igls near Innsbruck, Austria, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Lake Placid has been selected as a backup site for bobsled, luge, and skeleton events for the 2026 Olympics in case the track currently being rebuilt in Italy is not completed in time for the Milan-Cortina Games. The century-old track in Cortina, which has been dormant for nearly 20 years, is undergoing reconstruction at a cost of nearly $90 million. While Italian officials have expressed confidence in meeting the deadline, the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid is preparing a contingency plan.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the state is honored to be chosen as a backup site and will collaborate with Italian organizers to develop a detailed backup plan for the sliding events. Lake Placid, which has hosted the Winter Games twice before in 1932 and 1980, would offer a unique Olympic experience if called upon to host the events.

USA Luge CEO Scott Riewald acknowledged that competing on home turf would provide American athletes with a significant advantage. The familiarity with the track at Mount Van Hoevenberg, where the next world bobsled and skeleton championships will be held in March, could benefit the U.S. luge, bobsled, and skeleton teams.

Lake Placid to host if Cortina track not ready.

Backup plan in place for bobsled, luge, and skeleton events.

Mount Van Hoevenberg familiarity gives U.S. teams advantage.

Italy rebuilding Cortina track for $90 million.

While there have been suggestions to hold the sliding events at tracks in nearby Austria or Switzerland, the Italians remain committed to completing the Cortina track on time. Plans are in place to continue construction throughout the winter, with measures to protect workers and the facility from the elements. However, uncertainties remain about the track's readiness for testing in March.

If the Cortina track is not available for testing as planned, Lake Placid could become a more viable option for hosting the events. Despite the preparations for the games in Cortina, the U.S. teams are considering how to leverage the potential advantage of competing on home soil if the need arises.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, with the final decision on the venue for the sliding events pending the completion of the track in Italy.