BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The International Olympic Committee is moving forward with plans to make Mount Van Hoevenberg a backup sliding venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Olympic Regional Development Authority officials in Lake Placid say the plans include flying athletes into Plattsburgh and housing them at Paul Smith’s College. Medal ceremonies would be held in New York City. It would mark the first time the winter games would hold medal events in multiple countries.
The decision comes as Italy races to finish its sliding venues ahead of the March 2025 certification deadline for the 2026 Milano Cortina games.
“This honor of being selected shows there is confidence in being able to, if needed, utilize our team to execute three of the disciplines within the Winter Olympics at a high level,” said ORDA’s Darcy Rowe Norfolk.
Officials will decide what’s next for Lake Placid if the region is needed to host part of the games.