Cortina preparations continue as Olympic competition starts Wednesday

Organizers in Cortina d'Ampezzo are still finishing visible construction days before Olympic events begin, with curling set to start Wednesday and the first women's downhill training scheduled for Thursday.

Cortina d'Ampezzo is still completing visible construction days before Olympic events begin. Gravel piles, tractors and contractors are active close to competition areas. Organizers finished a new sliding centre in time for the Games, but a cable car for spectators on the Tofane will not be ready. Curling is scheduled to start Wednesday and the first women's downhill training is set for Thursday. Key details: - Work remains visible near the Tofane finish area, with excavation and access-road activity reported. - The curling tournament is due to begin Wednesday, and women's downhill training is scheduled for Thursday. - A new sliding centre was completed on time, after earlier pressure from the International Olympic Committee to relocate events. - A cable car intended for spectators will not be ready; organizers requested temporary school closures to ease strain on local transport. - Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said athlete needs are in place but some cleaning and finishing work continues; IOC president Kirsty Coventry said "we are where we need to be." - The Games run Feb. 6-22, with nearly 3,000 athletes from 93 countries competing in 116 events across northern Italy. Summary: Visible, last-minute work highlights logistical pressure as events begin this week. Organizers report essential athlete facilities are prepared, while some spectator infrastructure and finishing touches remain incomplete and transport measures have been requested. Competition runs Feb. 6-22 and events begin Wednesday, with operational details unfolding as scheduled.