Guard at Winter Olympic construction site dies in nighttime sub-freezing temperatures

By Canadian Press on January 11, 2026.

MILAN (AP) — A guard at a 2026 Winter Olympic venue construction site in the mountain resort of Cortina died during a frigid overnight shift, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Italy’s infrastructure minister, Matteo Salvini, called for a full investigation into the circumstances of the 55-year-old worker’s death.

Italian media reported that the death occurred on Jan. 8, while the worker was on duty at a construction site outside of Cortina’s ice arena. Temperatures the night of the death plunged to -12 degrees Celsius (10.4 degrees Fahrenheit.)

The death occurred less than a month before the opening of the Feb. 6-22 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Cortina city officials said they were “deeply saddened and troubled by the death.’’

Cortina will host curling, sliding and women’s Alpine skiing.

The Associated Press

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