The streets of the Corvetto district in southern Milan erupted into chaos late Sunday as protesters clashed with security forces following a massive demonstration against the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
What began as a peaceful march of thousands turned into a standoff as the event concluded. Demonstrators took to the streets to voice their opposition to the Games, citing severe environmental concerns and the rising costs of Olympic-related infrastructure projects. Tensions also flared over the presence of foreign security agencies, including U.S. personnel involved in the event's security planning.
Clashes and Chaos in Corvetto As the march reached its final stages, the situation escalated. A group of protesters began hurling firecrackers and solid objects at police lines. Security forces responded by deploying water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds and prevent the unrest from spreading to neighboring districts.
Earlier in the day, masked individuals were seen launching smoke bombs from a bridge overlooking a construction site near the Olympic Village, which is slated to house approximately 1,500 athletes.
Rising Opposition to Milan-Cortina 2026 Local authorities and environmental activists have been at odds for months. Critics argue that the Winter Games will leave a lasting negative footprint on the region’s ecology and public budget, with economic benefits being far from guaranteed.
While the police have managed to restore order in the Corvetto area, no serious injuries have been reported so far. However, the violence underscores a deepening divide within Italian society regarding the hosting of international sporting events during a period of economic and environmental sensitivity.
Follow the latest news on Google News
