At the Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Village, athletes gathered at an outdoor coffee stand on Tuesday, exchanging national team pins and enjoying the snowy Dolomites ambiance. The village, accommodating around 1,400 athletes, coaches, and team members for Milano Cortina 2026, consists of 377 trailers in an Alpine valley near Cortina. Another Olympic Village is situated in Milan.
American curler Cory Thiesse expressed excitement about the communal living and training experience at the base of the mountains. Cortina hosts various sports like curling, women’s Alpine skiing, bobsled, luge, and skeleton, with athletes showcasing team spirit by decorating their trailers with flags and banners.
Each trailer is shared by two individuals, featuring basic amenities like beds, a shower, and a toilet. Wheelchair-accessible trailers are available for the upcoming Paralympics in March. Australian skeleton competitor Nick Timmings mentioned the comfortable living conditions in the trailers, sharing a room with his coach, who is also his twin brother.
The Village offers facilities such as a fitness center, recreational space, lounge, dining hall, massage rooms, and a prayer room. Athletes like Ukrainian luger Nazarii Kachmar enjoy interacting with peers from different countries in the common areas. The outdoor coffee stand is a popular meeting spot, where athletes engage in pin trading and socializing.
De Aundre John, a bobsledder from Trinidad and Tobago, shared his excitement about fulfilling his Olympic dream at the village, appreciating the Italian cuisine. Swedish curling coach Alison Kreviazuk praised the desserts, particularly the cannoli, in the dining hall. The village manager, Eva Lune Wiggelendum, highlighted the breathtaking mountain views surrounding the valley, creating a true Winter Olympics atmosphere.