The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 promised to be the most sustainable Games ever. But what impact did they really have on the Italian Alps? What remains for local communities, and what lessons can be carried forward to the French Alps 2030 Winter Games? In this episode of the CIPRA Podcast, we take a closer look at the environmental, social, and political consequences of these mega-events in sensitive mountain areas.
We talk with three experts from the CIPRA network: Francesco Pastorelli from CIPRA Italy, Christine Busch from CIPRA Germany and Lauren Mosdale from CIPRA France.
Francesco has followed Milano-Cortina closely and brings two decades of experience with Olympic developments in Italy, dating back to the Torino 2006 Games. He shares his insights into promises vs. reality of „the most sustainable Games ever“, impacts on Alpine ecosystems and infrastructures and how local communities experienced the Games.
The French Alps will host the 2030 Winter Games. Lauren explains why French civil society has filed a lawsuit challenging the hosting decision, what Milano-Cortina teaches us about transparency, governance, and climate resilience and what needs to change for future Olympic events in mountain regions.
German media have been vocal about the ecological downsides of Milano-Cortina. Christine discusses, what this means for public opinion on mega-events, why Munich is considering a bid for the Summer Games and what role sustainability plays in that discussion.
The discussion makes clear: The Alps cannot afford another decade of broken promises. Olympic events must adapt to climate realities, not the other way around.
The mountain regions are more than just a playground for global sports spectacles.
And: Civil society is increasingly demanding accountability, transparency, and genuine sustainability.
Explore CIPRA’s in-depth coverage and policy positions:
https://www.cipra.org/en/dossiers/the-winter-olympics
Host: Michael Gams
Photo Caption: The Cortina bobsleigh track was one of the most controversial construction projects of the 2026 Winter Olympics. (c) Fabio Tullio
