Athletes gathered at an outdoor coffee stand in the Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Village on Tuesday, exchanging national team pins and soaking in the snowy Dolomites ambiance.
During Milano Cortina 2026, the village serves as a temporary residence for around 1,400 athletes, coaches, and team members who are accommodated in 377 trailers in the Alpine valley, just a short drive from downtown Cortina. Another significant Olympic Village is located in Milan.
“It’s truly enjoyable to be here, surrounded by many fellow athletes,” remarked Cory Thiesse, an American curler.
“We live, train, and dine together. Waking up to the breathtaking mountain views every morning is a dream come true.”
Cortina hosts various sports including curling, women’s Alpine skiing, bobsled, luge, and skeleton. Athletes have adorned their mobile homes with flags, banners, and personal touches representing their countries and team spirit.
Team Canada, for instance, placed a red moose statue in front of their lodgings as a territorial marker, with the team’s security personnel ensuring it remains pristine.
Each trailer consists of two rooms, accommodating up to two individuals per room. The rooms are modest, furnished with beds, a shower, and a toilet. Half of the trailers are wheelchair-accessible in preparation for the upcoming Paralympic events in March.
Nick Timmings, an Australian skeleton competitor, shared his room with his coach, who also happens to be his twin brother. Timmings expressed satisfaction with the living conditions, debunking prior concerns about heating and plumbing in the trailers.
The Village boasts amenities such as a fitness center, recreational areas, a lounge, dining hall, massage facilities, and a prayer room.
Ukrainian luger Nazarii Kachmar enjoys mingling with athletes from various nations in the common areas. He has engaged in conversations with athletes from Canada, Romania, the U.S., and Latvia.
The outdoor coffee stand is a popular meeting point where athletes engage in conversations while waiting for their beverages. De Aundre John, a bobsledder from Trinidad and Tobago, seized the opportunity to trade national pins with American bobsledders.
John expressed his excitement about achieving his lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian, mentioning that the Italian cuisine, particularly the lasagna, has been a delightful bonus.
In the dining hall, Swedish curling coach Alison Kreviazuk praised the desserts, with a special mention for the cannoli.
Despite the overcast weather on Tuesday, athletes can enjoy views of the ski center as soon as they step out of their trailers on sunny days, as highlighted by Eva Lune Wiggelendum, the village manager.
“Surrounded by mountains in this valley, it’s an incredible setting. Watching the snowfall outside creates a true Winter Olympics atmosphere here,” she expressed.