Milan-Cortina, salted without end: Veneto pays another 31.5 million of public money for the costs of the Paralympics

Milano-Cortina’s Paralympic Games have left the Veneto region with yet another financial burden, as officials announced the allocation of an additional 31.5 million euros from public funds. The games, held from March 6 to 15, 2026, marked the end of a long period of planning and spending, but the financial repercussions continue. The regional government, led by Lega leader Alberto Stefani, approved a budget adjustment in late April, transferring the sum to cover costs incurred during the event. The 31.5 million euros represents the Veneto region’s share of public guarantees pledged in 2019 when Milan-Cortina was selected to host the Winter Paralympics. This amount will contribute to paying for services and activities carried out during the games, particularly in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Among these expenses are improvements related to safety and mobility, including tactile paths and new Jersey-style barriers. The decision follows earlier reports from Il Fatto Quotidiano, which revealed the financial commitment months prior. The funds were transferred via a formal decree issued by the regional government, which outlined two main components: the application of a portion of the administrative surplus amounting to 26 million euros, and the withdrawal of 5.5 million euros from the mission of Funds and Accumulations. These allocations will be directed to the Special Commissioner, Giuseppe Fasiol, appointed by the national government. The total cost of the Paralympic Games has now reached approximately 550 million euros, while the Olympic Games themselves required around 2 billion euros from the Milan-Cortina Foundation. When accounting for infrastructure-related expenditures, the overall investment is estimated at between 6 and 7 billion euros, far exceeding the initial projected investment of one billion and a half euros. The original proposal for the games, initially known as the Dolomites Games, aimed to be a low-impact event using existing structures rather than new construction. It was intended to promote sustainable tourism and counteract demographic decline in the Alpine regions. However, the reality of hosting such a large-scale international event has proven more complex. While some areas, such as the Trentino-Alto Adige region, have managed to balance tourism with local population stability, others, like the province of Belluno in the Veneto, face severe depopulation. Projections suggest that by 2042, the population could drop from 195,000 to 180,000—a decline of nearly 20 percent. This trend highlights the broader challenge of reconciling economic growth through tourism with the preservation of local communities. The original vision for the games sought to leverage the UNESCO-listed Dolomite mountains to attract visitors without compromising the region's cultural and environmental integrity. Yet, the scale of the event has raised concerns over its long-term impact on both the environment and the local population. As the financial commitments continue to mount, so too does the scrutiny on whether the benefits of hosting the games will outweigh their costs. For now, the Veneto region remains locked in a cycle of expenditure, with no immediate signs of relief.