ROME, Italy (AFP) — Rome will spearhead an Italian bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said yesterday vowing a strong campaign to win the event.
Italy is the first country to announce a bid taking advantage of new International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules allowing events to be staged in more than one city. Rivals in Europe and North America are expected to quickly emerge though.
Renzi announced at the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) headquarters that Rome would be the centrepiece of the Games bid but that “all the cities, from Florence and Naples to Sardinia” could be involved.
“This is a challenge we would like to win. We will do everything we can until 2017 when the final decision is made,” said Renzi.
No specific details were released, although one report said the sailing events could be held around the millionaires’ paradise of Sardinia.
Rome, which held the Summer Games in 1960, shelved plans to bid for the 2020 event two years ago due to concerns over rising costs as the country battled an economic crisis. Turin held the Winter Olympics in 2006.
Renzi said there would be a campaign “committed to making sure Italy wins this match”.
“Rome will be the centrepiece of the project, then it will be up to CONI to decide which other cities will be involved,” he added.
The IOC last week passed new rules allowing the Games to be held in more than one city and encourages the use of existing facilities so hosts can spread and cut costs.
CONI president Giovanni Malago said Italy’s bid would be dynamic but low-cost.
“Less expenditure, more ideas and total transparency — our bid will be revolutionary and led by a youthful team,” said Malago, who admitted the IOC’s new rules had encouraged Rome.
He said Italy would “exploit the expansion of existing infrastructure”.
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Rome the centrepiece of Italy"s bid for 2024 Olympic Games
