Lake Placid has been selected as a backup location for the 2026 Winter Olympics sliding events, including luge, bobsled, and skeleton, if the facilities in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, are not completed on time. The Olympic Sports Complex at Mount Van Hoevenberg will host these events should the century-old track in Italy face delays in its reconstruction.
The decision to choose Lake Placid as an alternate site was confirmed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), which manages the sliding venue. According to ABC News, New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed honor at the selection and emphasized the state's commitment to winter sports.
Despite Italy's assurances that the track will be ready, Lake Placid's designation as a backup site highlights the village's historical significance in the Olympic movement, having hosted the Winter Games in 1932 and 1980. The decision also underscores the strategic investment New York has made in its winter sports facilities, with over half a billion dollars spent on updates and rehabilitation over the past eight years.
The potential hosting of Olympic events in Lake Placid would provide a home advantage for U.S. athletes, as noted by USA Luge CEO Scott Riewald. The Times Union reported that if the events are moved to Lake Placid, athletes would stay at an Olympic village on the campus of Paul Smith’s College, with transportation arranged to and from the competition site.
While the Italian organizers remain confident in their timeline, Lake Placid's preparation as a Plan B site continues, with discussions between New York, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and Italian authorities set to progress over the coming months. The final decision on whether Lake Placid will host the events is expected by March 2025.