Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 10:08:02 GMT 7
Rome’s mayor has announced her opposition to Italy’s bid to host the Olympic Games in 2024, in a move that is likely to mean the end of the capital’s ambitious campaign.
Virginia Raggi, who was elected in June and has faced a tumultuous start to her tenure, said conference tin a highly anticipated press hat it would be irresponsible to move forward with the bid, given the debts that it would accrue and the burdens it would place on Roman taxpayers.
“We are effectively asking the people of Rome and of Italy to shoulder the debts. We just don’t support it,” Raggi said on Wednesday.
The announcement will add to concerns that the Olympic Games are increasingly being viewed with scepticism by potential host cities who worry about costs, environmental concerns, and the objections of local citizens.
While the Roma 2024 campaign has not formally abandoned its bid, organisers had already suggested that the mayor’s support would be necessary to continue. The move leaves Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest in contention. Boston and Hamburg, two other early potential candidates, have already pulled out.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/21/virginia-raggi-mayor-of-rome-announces-opposition-city-olympic-bid
Virginia Raggi, who was elected in June and has faced a tumultuous start to her tenure, said conference tin a highly anticipated press hat it would be irresponsible to move forward with the bid, given the debts that it would accrue and the burdens it would place on Roman taxpayers.
“We are effectively asking the people of Rome and of Italy to shoulder the debts. We just don’t support it,” Raggi said on Wednesday.
The announcement will add to concerns that the Olympic Games are increasingly being viewed with scepticism by potential host cities who worry about costs, environmental concerns, and the objections of local citizens.
While the Roma 2024 campaign has not formally abandoned its bid, organisers had already suggested that the mayor’s support would be necessary to continue. The move leaves Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest in contention. Boston and Hamburg, two other early potential candidates, have already pulled out.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/21/virginia-raggi-mayor-of-rome-announces-opposition-city-olympic-bid
