Malagò Reflects on Olympic Setback: “I Bow to the Law, but I Was Wrong”
Rome, Italy – April 14, 2025
Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), has sparked debate with a candid admission about a controversial Olympic decision, saying, “I bow to the law, but I was wrong,” during a press conference yesterday at Palazzo H. The remark, tied to the “impossibility of recovering” Italy’s chance to host a major Olympic event, alludes to the stalled Cortina-Milan 2026 Winter Games bobsleigh track project and a broader reflection on his leadership. As Italy grapples with logistical and legal hurdles, Malagò’s words reveal frustration and accountability, stirring reactions from sports officials and fans alike.
The context centers on the Anterselva sliding track, meant to be a flagship venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Last October, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rejected Italy’s bid to rebuild the Cortina track, citing delays and costs ballooning to €81.6 million, per Reuters. The IOC opted to redirect bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events to existing venues in St. Moritz, Switzerland, or Igls, Austria, a blow to Italy’s prestige after securing the Games in 2019 under Malagò’s push. “It’s impossible to recover now,” he told reporters, referencing both the timeline and sunk investments. His admission, “I was wrong,” points to missteps in planning, particularly underestimating bureaucratic red tape and environmental opposition, which halted construction, per Corriere dello Sport.
Malagò’s comment about “bowing to the law” nods to Italy’s strict public procurement rules and judicial oversight, which stalled the project amid probes into cost overruns, echoing the Florence Esselunga collapse case, per ANSA. He clarified, “I respect the legal framework, but I overestimated our ability to deliver on time.” The decision has cost Italy an estimated €50 million in economic impact, per a 2024 Bocconi University study, and drawn criticism for tarnishing CONI’s reputation after Rome’s successful Euro 2020 hosting, which Malagò once hailed as a “significant sign,” per CONI’s archives.
Reactions vary. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi called Malagò’s honesty “commendable” but urged focus on 2026’s remaining events, like alpine skiing in Valtellina, per La Gazzetta dello Sport. On X, fans are split: “Malagò’s taking the hit, but the system failed him,” one wrote, while another jabbed, “Wrong? That’s an understatement—Cortina’s a fiasco.” Some defend him, noting his role in securing the Games against long odds—Italy beat Sweden 47–34 in IOC votes, per Inside the Games. Critics, however, point to his optimism as naive, with one X post quipping, “He thought Italy could outrun its own red tape.”
The broader picture shows Italy’s struggle with mega-projects. The 2026 Games, budgeted at €1.9 billion, face scrutiny as Milan’s opening ceremony plans waver, per Il Sole 24 Ore. Malagò’s reflection echoes a philosophical nod to accepting limits, akin to historical laments about impossibility in law or fate, yet his accountability sets him apart. With 22 months until the Games, he’s vowed to “make 2026 unforgettable,” but the loss of the sliding track stings. For now, Malagò bows to reality, owning his miscalculation while eyeing redemption.
By Staff Writer, Olympic Oracle