Ivo Ferriani has been President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) since 2010
Image: Keystone
Construction work at the Cortina Sliding Center, the venue for the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics, pictured at the end of January 2025
Image: Keystone
The 2026 Olympic bobsleigh track is not yet finished
Image: Keystone
Olympic bobsleigh races will take place here in February 2026
Image: Keystone
At the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the bobsleigh medals were also handed out, here with the Italian winning duo Dalla Costa/Giacomo Conti in the two-man bobsleigh
Image: Keystone
Switzerland won gold in the four-man event with Franz Kapus, Gottfried Diener, Robert Alt and Heinrich Angst
Image: Keystone
Ivo Ferriani has been President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) since 2010
Image: Keystone
Construction work at the Cortina Sliding Center, the venue for the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics, pictured at the end of January 2025
Image: Keystone
The 2026 Olympic bobsleigh track is not yet finished
Image: Keystone
Olympic bobsleigh races will take place here in February 2026
Image: Keystone
At the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the bobsleigh medals were also handed out, here with the Italian winning duo Dalla Costa/Giacomo Conti in the two-man bobsleigh
Image: Keystone
Switzerland won gold in the four-man event with Franz Kapus, Gottfried Diener, Robert Alt and Heinrich Angst
Image: Keystone
There has been much discussion about the new bobsleigh track for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Now Ivo Ferriani, President of the international federation IBSF, can say with certainty: "The track is ready."
10.03.2025, 11:01
10.03.2025, 11:40
SDA
Ivo Ferriani has fond memories of Lake Placid. In the winter sports resort in upstate New York, he was elected President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) at its annual congress in 2010. Since 2016, the 65-year-old Italian has also been a member of the IOC. As a bobsleigh pilot, he took part in the 1988 Olympic Games (19th place), and as a coach he led Bruno Mingeon's French team to the 1999 World Championship title (ahead of Marcel Rohner) and Olympic bronze in the four-man event in 1998.
In an interview with Keystone-SDA, Ferriani talks about the purpose of the new ice channel in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the return of the Russians to the sport and rider safety, among other things.
Ivo Ferriani, as an Italian, what do you think about the new bobsleigh track being built in Cortina for next year's Olympic Games? After all, it also costs a lot of taxpayers' money.
(Laughs) "I wear a different hat depending on the situation. The IOC has actually said that there should be no more new tracks. But Cortina, or rather Italy, decided otherwise."
As association president, are you happy about the new ice track?
"As an association, we say that this is the last new track to be built, because we don't need any more. But Cortina is something positive for us. We will have four tracks within a radius of about two hours (Cortina, St. Moritz, Innsbruck, Königssee). This allows us to create a calendar with shorter journeys and lower costs."
However, the 2006 Olympic track in Cesana fell into disrepair within a fairly short space of time and no longer exists.
"Sustainability is a question of the people, not the place or the buildings. If you have a fantastic hotel but not the right people, it will close after two months. Then we must not forget the history of Cortina. The 1956 Games are remembered above all for the bobsleigh races. And how many places in the Alps can claim to have a bobsleigh and skeleton track? This is not just an investment for the Games. It will also bring money back into the region and be good for tourism."
Will it be ready in time for the homologation planned in two weeks' time?
"Definitely. We from the association are regularly on site. We were there again ten days ago. We saw the progress. The quality and scope of work are excellent. And I'm not saying that because I'm Italian. I'm very strict and have often been less nice. This railroad is our calling card. It must continue to exist in the future. And I can tell you: it will be ready. Not all the service installations yet, because the safety of the athletes comes first."
This is an important issue, especially after the serious injuries suffered by Swiss pusher Sandro Michel following a crash in Altenberg last winter.
(Ferriani clutches his heart) "I'm so sorry about that, it makes my heart bleed. We have to do everything we can to prevent such things from happening. Our commission is working on this, we are working with our partner Allianz, collecting data and looking for solutions. They have a lot of experience in this area. The athletes are our capital. Without them, there would be no association, no president, nothing. But unfortunately you can't completely rule out accidents. When you put on a helmet for a sport, you know that there is still a risk."
What was particularly annoying was that nobody wanted to admit a mistake.
"What was the mistake? There is no such thing as perfection. It has always been difficult in Altenberg, the sledges have always slipped back. I can assure you, we may not always make a big fuss about it, but we work very hard to create the best possible conditions for the athletes."
We don't know what will happen with the war in Ukraine. Are you planning the return of Russian athletes in bobsleigh and skeleton?
"I am also a member of the IOC. Sport should unite people and leave politics outside. Of course we support Ukraine and their fight to defend themselves. But sport should build bridges, and with the right rules, Russians should also be allowed to compete again as neutral athletes."
Rules like at the Summer Games in Paris, that they are not involved in the war and propaganda?
"Exactly. With an independent committee that clarifies admission. I am convinced that sport has to show that it is different. Take twenty children of different nationalities, religions and social backgrounds and put a ball in the middle. After ten minutes, they will all be playing together."
Finally, a question about St. Moritz, which was also once discussed as a possible alternative venue for Cortina. Does the natural ice rink still have a future in view of rising temperatures?
"I'm convinced of that. Of course, there are two big challenges with natural ice: the changing weather and the number of races and runs. But anything is possible. I love St. Moritz and believe in it one hundred percent. If Switzerland wants to, Olympic races will be held here in 2038."
