Winter athletes participating in the upcoming Milan Cortina Games will experience a unique stay at Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Athletes Village. The temporary accommodation, comprising 377 rented mobile homes, offers a simple and spartan living environment for up to 1,400 athletes and team members. Positioned in a serene area of Cortina, the Village provides proximity to the majestic Dolomites, allowing athletes to immerse themselves in nature.
While the accommodations may lack luxury, the Village’s charm lies in its temporary nature and environmental considerations. The Italian government commissioner overseeing the Games, Fabio Saldini, emphasized the Village’s high design and the planned restoration of the area post-event. Providing lodging for athletes is crucial for Olympic organizers, especially for the geographically dispersed Milan Cortina Games, with Cortina’s trailer park serving as one of the main Olympic villages alongside one in Milan.
Notable winter sports nations like Norway, the U.S., Germany, and Italy have chosen the Village for their athletes, although some may opt for alternative accommodations. The Village will be pivotal for events such as women’s alpine skiing, curling, bobsled, luge, skeleton, and the subsequent Paralympics. The mobile homes, each housing up to two individuals, offer basic amenities and personalized heating controls. Athletes can expect a scenic yet occasionally challenging experience, with the Village’s location at an altitude of 1,292 meters.
Following the conclusion of the Games, the mobile homes will find new purposes at camping sites across Italy, demonstrating a sustainable approach to event infrastructure. Despite initial tree removal for the Village setup, efforts are underway to preserve the natural surroundings. The total cost of the Village amounts to 38 million euros ($44 million US), with plans to repurpose the facilities for future use post-event.