The news is no surprise after plans to build a new track to host bobsleigh, skeleton and luge on the site of the demolished Eugenio Monti track, which hosted the sport when Cortina staged the 1956 Winter Olympics, stalled when no company bid for the tender.

There had also been growing opposition to the plans because of their environmental and financial impact, fears of a limited legacy and concerns there may not be enough time for construction.

Giovanni Malagò, the President of Milan Cortina 2026, formally announced the decision to move bobsleigh, skeleton and luge from Cortina to a foreign venue during a presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session here this morning.

"As recently as two days ago, the Government informed us to consider the best and most sustainable option to not go ahead with the Cortina Sliding Centre and move the sliding centre to an already existing and working venue," Malagò told delegates.

"As a result, Milano Cortina 2026 has to identify another venue outside Italy.

"We are already working to explore all possible solutions and alternatives together with the IOC and the International Federations, before submitting the choice to our Board for final approval.

"In this regard, it's important to remember a decision like this will impact the operation and has consequences for the budget of the Organising Committee."

Innsbruck, located about 100 miles away from Cortina in Austria, has already offered use of its sliding track for the Games.

Saint Moritz, 200 miles away in Switzerland, could be another contender.

IOC member Karl Stoss of Austria immediately announced that his country "would be more than happy” to be the sliding host in 2026.

"Thank you, Mr. Stoss, already on the campaign trail," IOC President Thomas Bach replied.

Kristin Kloster Aasen, chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Milan Cortina 2026, tried to put a positive spin on the news.

"This responsible commitment reinforces the position of the IOC that this venue needed to be reconsidered as the permanent legacy was not clear," she told the Session in her presentation.

"We welcome therefore this decision that builds on Agenda 2020's direction that no permanent venues should be built if there is not a demonstrated legacy plan for it."

Prince Albert II of Monaco, who competed in five Olympics as a bobsledder, also gave his backing to the decision.

"As chairman of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission, I can only applaud the decision by our friends in Milano Cortina not to go ahead with the reconstruction of the sliding center in Cortina," he said.

"I am absolutely confident that the best solution will be found for an existing venue to be the venue for those Games."

It will be the first time in the 102-year history of the Winter Olympics that an event has been staged outside the host country.

It has happened twice before in the Summer Olympics. 

The first came during the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp when, because of a dispute over the course, the final sailing events were moved from Oostende to Amsterdam in The Netherlands. 

The second time was during the 1956 Olympics, staged in Melbourne, when the equestrian events took place in Stockholm due to quarantine laws in Australia.

Hong Kong hosted the equestrian events when Beijing staged the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and Paris 2024 plans to hold the surfing competition in Tahiti, an overseas collectively and an overseas country of France.