Rome will withdraw its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics after mayor Virginia Raggi said the candidacy would be “irresponsible” in light of the city’s poor financial situation.
The decision is a blow to Italy’s Olympic committee and marks Rome’s second withdrawal in four years after plans to bid for the 2020 Olympics were halted for the same reason. If approved by the city assembly, Raggi’s rejection would leave only Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest as potential hosts.
“We don't have to organize the Olympics and Agenda 2020 has completely changed everything. We have to decide whether to keep hoping to host the Games or to put an end to it. If Hamburg does that before it starts, it’s normal; if Boston does it, it’s normal; if Oslo does it, it’s normal,” said Italian Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malogo.
“But after two years of commitment, after having promoted it everywhere, after having said ‘trust us, support us,’ and you now tell them ‘sorry, they’ve changed their mind.’”