Rome mayor withdraws support for Olympic bid

Omnisports

September 21, 2016 2:56 AM

Rome's hopes of hosting the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics were dealt a blow on Wednesday as the city's mayor withdrew her support.

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Virginia Raggi - the mayor of Rome - has withdrawn the city's support for the Italian capital's bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Rome has not staged the Games since 1960, but was one of four cities keen to play host in eight years' time - along with Paris, Budapest and Los Angeles.

However, Raggi announced on Wednesday that it would be "irresponsible" for Rome to continue with their bid.

Raggi has been against the Games since her election in June and now appears to have ended Rome's hopes, making it a three-horse race for 2024.

"Following an in-depth analysis, we believe the conditions for the ongoing candidacy of the city of Rome for the 2025 Olympics and Paralympics aren't there," she told a media conference.

"We are effectively asking the people of Rome and of Italy to shoulder the debts. We just don't support it.

"We want something more for Rome, 70 per cent of citizens said no to the Games."

The International Committee will announce the 2024 host at its 130th Session in Lima next year.

Omnisports

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