Bobsleigh at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Schedule, Venue, and Latest News
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, 12 February 2026 — As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics reach Day 6, the sliding sports are taking centre stage at the historic Eugenio Monti Sliding Centre. While the bobsleigh competition is officially scheduled to begin its heat phases on 15 February, the atmosphere in Cortina d’Ampezzo is already electric following a week of training runs and high-profile controversies in the sliding community.
The Venue: Cortina Sliding Centre
After significant international debate regarding the construction of a new track, the bobsleigh events are being held at the newly developed Cortina Sliding Centre. Built on the grounds of the historic track used during the 1956 Games, the facility covers eight hectares. Despite early suggestions that events might be moved to Lake Placid or Innsbruck, the Italian organisers successfully completed the venue in time for the February 2026 start.
Bobsleigh Competition Schedule
The Olympic bobsleigh races are conducted over four heats spread across two days for each discipline. The total combined time of all four runs determines the final standings. According to the official Milano Cortina 2026 program, the bobsleigh events will run from 15 February to 22 February 2026.
| Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Training Runs | 12 February – 14 February 2026 | Cortina Sliding Centre |
| Two-Woman Monobob | 15 February – 16 February 2026 | Cortina Sliding Centre |
| Two-Man Bobsleigh | 15 February – 16 February 2026 | Cortina Sliding Centre |
| Two-Woman Bobsleigh | 21 February – 22 February 2026 | Cortina Sliding Centre |
| Four-Man Bobsleigh | 21 February – 22 February 2026 | Cortina Sliding Centre |
Current Headlines and Controversies
Security Concerns and Thefts
Security has been tightened in Cortina d’Ampezzo following reports that the Israeli bobsled team’s apartment was robbed just days before the Games began. The pilot of the Israeli team, which has made history by qualifying for the first time, confirmed that personal items were taken while the team was finishing their final training sessions.
The Skeleton Disqualification Fallout
While bobsleigh athletes prepare for their heats, the sliding community is reeling from the disqualification of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych. Heraskevych was removed from the Games after refusing to remove a helmet featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes who have died in the ongoing war. The IOC cited rules against political statements on the field of play, a decision that has sparked significant debate among competing nations today, Thursday, 12 February.
“Crotch-gate” and Equipment Regulations
New regulations have been strictly enforced across all sliding and jumping sports following the “penis-gate” or “crotch-gate” scandal involving ski jumpers earlier this week. Officials are under pressure to ensure that all aerodynamic suits and equipment meet the updated 2026 standards to prevent unfair advantages.
Athletes to Watch
- Team USA: Keep an eye on the “athlete couple” Kaysha Love and Hunter Church. While Love made her debut in Beijing, Church is competing in his first Games here in Italy.
- Israel: The first-ever Israeli bobsled team is set to compete, marking a historic milestone for the nation’s winter sports program.
- Trinidad and Tobago: Axel Brown returns for his second Olympics, representing the Caribbean nation in the two-man event.
- Taiwan: For the first time, Taiwan has fielded a women’s bobsleigh team, which has drawn significant media attention during training heats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the bobsleigh taking place in 2026?
The bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events are held at the Cortina Sliding Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The track was built specifically for these Games on the site of the 1956 Olympic track.
How many heats are in the Olympic bobsleigh?
Each event consists of four heats. These are typically split over two consecutive days, with two runs per day. The athlete or team with the lowest cumulative time after four runs wins the gold medal.
Can I still buy tickets for the bobsleigh events?
As of 12 February 2026, Olympic management has confirmed that bobsleigh tickets are officially sold out due to the high demand and the limited capacity of the Cortina venue.
Are Russian athletes competing in the 2026 bobsleigh?
A limited number of individual athletes from Russia and Belarus have been cleared to compete as neutral athletes across various sports, including Alpine skiing and Cross-country skiing, provided they meet strict eligibility criteria set by the IOC.