Now that Madrid lost the 2016 Summer Games to Rio de Janeiro, Italy says its ready to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games, the Italian Olympic Committee said Friday.
Venice’s mayor immediately put his city’s name forward, while Rome officials are also interested in bidding, reports Reuters.
A Madrid victory following London 2012 would have meant two European Summer Games in succession and reduced the chances of a third straight Olympics coming to the continent.
Italian Olympic Committee President Giovanni Petrucci said in a statement, “the time is right for an Italian bid for the 2020 Olympic Games. Rio de Janeiro’s victory definitely gives Italy the chance to carefully consider the idea of nominating a city”.
Venice’s mayor Massimo Cacciari said “Venice is an ‘icon’ city unique in the world with international recognition”, adding that they were hoping the bid would accelerate urban development in Venice and the surrounding region of Padua and Treviso.
