The Italian town of Cortina d'Ampezzo is preparing to co‑host the 2026 Winter Olympics, but the run‑up to the event is increasingly being defined by concerns over corruption and reported mafia involvement in major construction projects.

Regional activists have warned of limited transparency around Olympic subcontracting, but officials insist that oversight measures are working. With billions invested in venues, infrastructure and an Olympic Village that may prove difficult to repurpose, questions are mounting about long‑term costs for the region.

As athletes get ready to compete in alpine skiing, curling, sliding and ski jumping, many residents are weighing the economic strain against hopes for future benefits.

Correction, January 31, 2026: This video contains errors in the names of Piermario Fop, Cristina Guarda and Vito Dadié. DW is working to fix this, and apologizes for the errors.