Italy
is intent on holding the Summer Olympic Games in 2020, but three major cities
are competing to host them. With Venice, Rome and
Palermo
all vying for the high-profile international sports event, Italy’s
Olympic Committee (CONI) has said that Italy
has a better chance if just one city bids.
Olympic fever began after Madrid lost to Rio de Janeiro in its bid to host the 2016 Summer games. London is hosting the 2012 games, and two consecutive Summer
Olympics in Europe
would have been highly unlikely. With Rio de Janeiro hosting the 2016
games, Italy thinks it is possible to bring the Olympics to the
peninsula.
‘The time is right for an Italian bid for the 2020
Olympic Games’, said CONI president, Giovanni Petrucci. ‘Rio
de Janeiro’s victory definitely gives Italy
the chance to carefully consider the idea of nominating a city.’
Although CONI has until the end of 2010 to nominate
its city, the risk of city rivalries is pressing officials to make an early
decision. Rome
is eager to host the Games after loosing to Athens
in 2004. Venice
mayor Massimo Cacciari argues that ‘Venice
is an iconic city, unique in the world, which enjoys universal recognition.’
Italy
also recently announced its intention to bid for the Euro 2016 soccer
championships. If Italy
wins, the 12 cities to host matches will be Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Rome, Turin, Udine
and Verona.
European soccer’s governing body UEFA is set to announce its decision in May
2010.
