Plans for Turin to host the speed skating during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games are being opposed by the Milan Mayor and Lombardy Governor ©Getty Images

Opposition is growing to a proposal to move speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games to Turin after plans to build an expensive roof over the outdoor rink at Baselga di Piné were rejected.

Italy’s initial bid declaration in March 2018 was for a joint candidature between Milan and Turin, with Cortina d'Ampezzo joining a few days later.

But, six months later, Turin dropped out after political infighting, missing out in 2019 when Milan and Cortina beat Stockholm to be awarded the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Costs for the roof at the outdoor track in Baselga were initially estimated at $54 million (£44 million/€50 million), according to a project announced in November.

But there were concerns that actual costs could rise by at least 50 per cent, leading to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) vetoing the project.

Italy's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini has called for speed skating to be moved to Oval Lingotto, built for the 2006 Winter Olympics when they were held in Turin.

The Oval Lingotto was built for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin ©Getty Images
The Oval Lingotto was built for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin ©Getty Images

Lombardy’s Governor Attilio Fontana and Milan’s Mayor Beppe Sala, however, have both come out against the involvement of Turin, which hosted the 2006 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"If the rink can be held in Milan, that's right," Sala, whose city is the capital of Lombardy, said.

"We're checking if the conditions are right.

"Turin, at the time, had given up on being part of the Olympics, so it's much more right that it remains in Milan or in one of the natural venues of the Olympics.

"But we are working for it to stay in Milan."

Fontana also objected to Turin earning the right to be involved in the Olympics again.

"They didn't want us, they don't deserve us," he said.

A $54 million project to build a roof over the outdoor speed skating rink at Baselga di Piné has been vetoed by the IOC ©Archest
A $54 million project to build a roof over the outdoor speed skating rink at Baselga di Piné has been vetoed by the IOC ©Archest

It was Milan Cortina 2026 President Giovanni Malagò who confirmed that the IOC had put a block on the redevelopment of Baselga.

"The IOC said the investment was underestimated and not sustainable for the area and the IOC reserves the right to point the way in terms of executing the Games," Malagò, who is also President of the Italian National Olympic Committee said.

"I defended the original masterplan but there comes a time when you can no longer defend the undefendable.

"Everything that has happened since then, from COVID to the war [in Ukraine], has gone against us. Baselga is not a victim but rather one of the issues that arise systematically during the organisation of an international event like the Olympics."

Malagò appeared to leave the door open for a venue other than Turin to be ready to step in.

"It’s not automatic," he said.

"We will discuss all of the different possibilities."