Cortina mayor receives death threats over Olympic bobsleigh track

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 1 - The mayor of Cortina D'Ampezzo in the northern Dolomite region of Veneto has received an anonymous letter containing death threats in relation to the construction of a new bobsleigh track for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, local newspapers reported on Friday.
    "If you go ahead with the bobsleigh track, we will take you out," reads the missive received by Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi, who has already reportedly filed a complaint with police.
    "Now it is up to investigators to shed full light on this unexpected occurrence," he added.
    The threats come on the heels of bitter controversy over the felling of dozens of trees to make way for the new bobsleigh track that will host the Olympic competition.
    Numerous environmental associations have reportedly filed complaints in relation to the demolition of the old Monti track and tree-felling to make way for the new facility, asking for the verification of compliance with landscape restrictions.
    Last year plans to build a new bobsleigh track in Cortina D'Ampezzo looked set to be scrapped due to cost issues, amid proposals to hold the sliding events outside Italy.
    The disused track at Cesana in Piemonte created for the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics was also put forward as another option.
    However in the end the government and Veneto region decided to press ahead with the original plans.
    Milan and Cortina are set to host the Winter Olympics from February 6 to 22, 2026, and then the Paralympics from March 6 to 15. (ANSA).