Germany out of the game as a replacement for Cortina 2026
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will apparently not agree to the relocation of the 2026 Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Germany. This was reported by the newspaper "Freie Wort" Suhl on Saturday. "We have observed that the participation of athletes in international sports competitions is repeatedly restricted by some governments," the IOC said in response to an inquiry from the newspaper. "This includes governments banning athletes from participating in international competitions in their country for political reasons. This means that countries where such restrictions exist cannot be considered. As we know from official statements by the German government, Germany has imposed restrictions."
The IOC is referring to statements made by Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD), who had said in relation to the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions in Germany due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine that action would be taken at international competitions in Germany and appropriate visa regulations would be applied.
As no track for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton will be built for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, the Italians are looking for an alternative venue. Innsbruck, La Plagne and St. Moritz were initially under discussion. After Oberhof also expressed its interest, the German Bobsleigh and Luge Federation (BSD) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) decided to send a request with an expression of interest to the Italian Olympic Committee.
Despite Germany's bid to host the 2026 Olympic bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events due to Cortina's unavailability, Bob might find it challenging to participate in Tobogganing or Skeleton there, given the IOC's stance against countries imposing restrictions on athletes' participation in international competitions. Olympia might need to look elsewhere for her Olympic debut in 2026, as even Oberhof seems to be out of the race.
Source: www.dpa.com
