Olympians in Cortina to Stay in Mobile Home Trailer Park During Games
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Athletes competing at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy will find their accommodations in an unconventional setting – a trailer park comprising mobile homes. As the games draw nearer, preparations are in full swing to host about 1,400 athletes in 377 temporary buildings located near the picturesque town of Cortina, as one of the two designated Olympic villages. This initiative aims to provide residence for various sports competitors including alpine skiers, bobsledders, curlers, and others set to participate in the upcoming games.
The mobile homes, chosen for their simplicity and spartan nature, are strategically situated amidst the stunning Dolomite mountains, offering unparalleled views to the residing athletes. The Italian government commissioner overseeing infrastructure for the games, Fabio Saldini, emphasised the impermanence of the village, highlighting that post-Olympics, everything will be dismantled, leaving behind an improved environment. Saldini expressed, “This is a temporary village but of high design.”
Additionally, the accommodation facilities will extend their hospitality to Paralympians, with the village conveniently located about a 10-minute drive north of Cortina. Scheduled to take place from March 6th to 15th, the Paralympics will utilise the village’s serene surroundings to provide athletes with a conducive environment for training and focus. According to Saldini, the quiet location offers athletes the chance to immerse themselves in the mountainous surroundings, providing both solitude and opportunities for physical workouts.
Despite the promising prospects of the mobile home village, Norway has opted out of this housing arrangement, as reported by the Associated Press. Notable athletes, including American representatives Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, are also speculated not to choose the village as their residence during the games. Vonn, known for her past Olympic achievements, has highlighted the challenges families of athletes face in finding suitable accommodations during major sports events and has advocated for better provisions in this regard.
In a recent statement, Vonn acknowledged the importance of adequate housing arrangements for athletes and their families during the Olympics, reflecting on her own family’s struggles to find suitable lodging during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002. Expressing her commitment to addressing these challenges, Vonn, who is a member of the committee bringing the Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City in 2034, stressed the significance of facilitating a seamless experience for all those involved in the sporting event.
As preparations continue for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, the mobile home trailer park in Cortina represents a unique and innovative approach to accommodating athletes participating in various winter sports. With its scenic location and temporary yet functional design, the village aims to provide athletes with a comfortable and inspiring environment during their quest for Olympic glory.