CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — Bruno Alberti was just 22 years old the last time the Winter Olympic Games were hosted in his hometown. At the time, he was an Alpine skier, preparing for competition on the world stage. Life, however, brought him other plans.
"Not a very nice experience," Alberti said, speaking through is son, Luca Alberti, who translated for KSL. "It was super exciting to participate in, the first Olympics in Cortina, but unfortunately during the training, two days before, (I) got into an accident … and watched the Olympics in the hospital."
While Alberti seems somewhat resentful for how things turned out, he was still ecstatic to have the world see the mountains and valley that he'd come to love.
"It's really unique because the color of the Dolomites are unique, and the Dolomites and Cortina is a unique valley because it's so open," he said.
Now 70 years later, Alberti is again watching the world enjoy the Italian Alps. This time, from a television at home. And despite the increasing size of the Olympic Games in money, the number of events and interest, he believes the impact and visitation to Cortina is about the same as it was in 1956.
Back then, all events were held around the town that still maintains a population of about 5,500 people, while today, the town hosts only three venues.
Despite Alberti's injury in 1956, he did go on to compete in the 1960 Winter Games, in Squaw Valley, California, placing fifth in downhill skiing.
"Not that fifth place means anything," Alberti added. "History only remembers the gold."
