Winter Olympics Report 3: Off Track

In his third report from Italy’s Olympic and climate frontlines, Matt Rendell explains how a huge amount of construction has gone into the 2026 Winter Olympics, much of it entirely unnecessary.

In 2006, major sports facilities from a bobsleigh run to ski jumps were built for the Winter Olympics in nearby Turin. Some of these facilities cost over a hundred million euros, and have rarely been used since. All that carbon-intensive steel and concrete, virtually gone to waste.

Instead of reusing them for this year’s Games, they are being scrapped - with the building of brand new facilities contributing significantly to the event’s emissions.

And by partnering with fossil fuel sponsors like Eni, the Winter Olympics are pouring yet more fuel on the fire.

Matt will be reporting from on the Games, the environment and the movement to kick fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship out of sport.