Concerns about ice quality are emerging at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Several short-track speed skaters have described the rink as “soft,” raising questions about safety and consistency. Organizers say the ice is closely monitored and complaints of this kind are uncommon.
Why short-track ice is under scrutiny in Milan
Canadian skater Steven Dubois, the 2025 world champion in the men’s 1000m, voiced the strongest criticism after crashing out in the qualifying round. Speaking after racing at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Dubois said the surface was “really bad” and claimed there had been “so many falls.”
He later helped Canada win silver in the mixed team relay. Still, his post-race comments focused on the challenges athletes say they are facing on the rink.
“At the Games it’s always hard,” Dubois said, pointing to the difficulty of managing ice conditions when short-track and figure skating share a venue.
What “soft” ice means and why a few degrees matter
Ice temperature can affect speed and grip. Small changes can alter how the blade bites into the surface, which is critical in tight short-track turns.
Different sports also require different ice profiles. Figure skating typically uses slightly warmer, slower ice to support jumps and edge work. Hockey prefers colder, harder ice. Speed skating generally needs the coldest surface to maximize speed.
At the Olympics, short-track and figure skating have traditionally shared the same rink. That setup can require rapid adjustments between sessions.
Organizers say the ice is monitored constantly
On Wednesday, officials defended their approach and said serious complaints are rare.
Luca Casassa, the Games operation communications director, said ice specialists measure temperature and monitor conditions throughout competition. He also said organizers have received positive feedback about the “field of play.”
Canada’s technician points to deterioration over rounds
Not everyone working with athletes is reassured. Laurent Daignault, a former Olympian who now serves as an equipment technician with Team Canada, said the key issue is inconsistency.
According to Daignault, the ice can feel “pretty nice” early on. However, he said it begins to deteriorate later in the program, particularly after multiple rounds.
He also said the team has been trying to reach the ice master, with limited success.
Adapting may matter more than equipment changes
Asked whether Canada would adjust equipment to compensate, Daignault suggested that would not solve the problem if conditions keep changing. In that scenario, athletes have to adapt race by race.
Dubois acknowledged the dilemma. He said the conditions are the same for everyone, but added that it can feel unfair when a skater performs well and the ice “doesn’t hold” in key moments.
The debate now puts extra attention on how organizers manage a shared venue, and whether the surface can stay consistent as the Olympic schedule intensifies.
