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Olympia 2026: Antholz is preparing for a sporting festival!
The 2026 Olympic biathlon competitions in Antholz are approaching. Investments in the modern sports facility promote talent and events.
Olympia 2026: Antholz is preparing for a sporting festival!
In February 2024, the beautiful Antholz region in South Tyrol will be at the center of international sport when the Biathlon Olympics are held. The entire region is already looking forward to this important event. Christoph Sumann, new sporting director of the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV), is enthusiastic about the sporting facility, which is considered the most modern in the world. According to Laola1, a total of 52 million euros were invested in the sports facility.
The upcoming Olympics are of great importance for the region, which has established itself as a venue for one of the most traditional sports. Six world championships have been held in Antholz since 1975, and the first Olympic medals awarded on South Tyrolean soil will make for a very special anniversary. The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, with biathlon competitions taking place from February 8th to 21st, 2026 at the Olympic Arena South Tyrol, as South Tyrolean Land reported.
Modernization of the biathlon facility
The modernization of the facility included significant changes, including the redesign of the finish line and a largely underground infrastructure. An indoor shooting room and a cold chamber for testing in sub-zero temperatures were set up to suit the athletes' conditions. ÖSV sports director Mario Stecher expressed himself positively about the innovations and sees great development opportunities for the future, as reported by Biathlon-News.
The biathlon stadium has a capacity of around 19,000 fans, of which 13,000 are available in the finish grandstand. So far, there has been no reservoir for the snowmaking systems, but the facilities for the athletes have already been extensively tailored to their needs. The dry shooting room with simulation options has already been completed and offers the athletes optimal training conditions.
Athletes’ demands and expectations
The IOC's decision to award the 2026 Winter Olympics to Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo was greeted with cheers, both in Milan, Cortina and South Tyrol. Dorothea Wierer, overall World Cup winner in 2018/19, was positive and sees the decision as an opportunity for young talent, even if she herself will not take part in the competitions. Dominik Windisch, mass start world champion, plans to end his career at the 2026 Olympics, while Lukas Hofer wants to focus on the 2020 World Cup and the 2022 Winter Games before deciding whether to return.
In addition to the Winter Olympics, the Paralympic Winter Games will also take place in Antholz in March 2026. Special mobility management measures are planned during the Games, including free public transport for the local population and controlled zones for event security.
With its impressive infrastructure and commitment to the sport of biathlon, the Antholz region has definitely established itself as one of the outstanding venues and is looking forward to the upcoming Olympic Games.