Olympia 2026: Antholz is preparing for a sporting festival!

Olympia 2026: Antholz is preparing for a sporting festival!

In February 2024, the beautiful region of Antholz in South Tyrol will be the focus of international sports when the biathlon Olympiad is held. The entire region is already looking forward to this important event. Christoph Sumann, the 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] (https://www.laola1.at/de/wintersport/biathlon/news/sumann-schwaermt-ueber-antholz-best ---das-es-gt-/), a total of 52 million euros were invested.

The upcoming Olympics is of great importance for the region, which has established itself as a venue in one of the most traditional sports. Six world championships have been held in Antholz since 1975, and the first award of Olympic medals on South Tyrolean soil will ensure a very special anniversary. The 2026 Winter Olympics take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with biathlon competitions that will be held in the Olympic Arena South Tyrol from February 8th to 21st, 2026, such as South Tyroleans Land reported.

modernization of the biathlon system

The modernization of the system comprised significant changes, including the redesign of the finish and a large part of the underground infrastructure. An indoor shooting range and a refrigeration chamber for tests at freezing degrees have been set up to meet the conditions of the athletes. ÖSV sports director Mario Stecher was positive 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 places are available in the floors. So far, the Speicherensee for the snowmaking systems has been missing, but the premises 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.

demands and expectations of the athletes

The decision of the IOC to award the Winter Olympics in 2026 to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo was cheered on, both in Milan, Cortina and in South Tyrol. Dorothea Wierer, overall World Cup winner in 2018/19, expressed a positive statement and sees the decision as an opportunity for young people, even if she will not take part in the competitions herself. Dominik Windisch, mass start world champion, plans to end his career at the 2026 Olympics, while Lukas Hofer first wants to concentrate on the 2020 World Cup and the winter games in 2022 before deciding on his 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 the safety of the event.

The Antholz region has definitely established itself with its impressive infrastructure and its commitment to biathlon sport as one of the outstanding venues and looks with excitement at the upcoming Olympic Games.