As the Winter Olympics kicked off in Italy, the country's railways faced a significant challenge. Police reported three separate incidents involving damage to railway lines, which they believe are connected to the Games. These incidents caused severe travel disruptions, with delays of up to two-and-a-half hours and the temporary closure of a high-speed, state-owned railway. The Ministry of Transport called the incidents an act of 'serious sabotage', mirroring vandalism during the Paris Olympics in 2024. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini assured that these actions would not tarnish Italy's image, which the Games would enhance. The incidents included a fire at rail infrastructure between Bologna and Venice, a track switch set alight near Pesaro, and severed electric cables near Bologna. The opening ceremony of the Games took place in Milan, Cortina in northeastern Italy, and two other locations, all accessible by train from Venice. These events, spread over hundreds of miles in northern Italy, including the Alps and Dolomite mountains, raised questions about the safety and security of the Olympic infrastructure.
