Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics face venue uncertainty as construction continues

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are set to begin in one year, but the sliding center in Cortina is still under construction. The International Olympic Committee has requested a backup plan to move events to Lake Placid, New York, if the track is not ready. Currently, about 70% of the track is completed, with construction ongoing. The first ice is expected to be laid in March, and an official test event is planned for October. Environmental concerns have arisen due to tree removal for the project. Ticket sales for the Games are about to start, with significant interest from international buyers. The organizing committee is adapting to various venues across northern Italy, which have hosted winter sports events in the past.