In response to a website recently launched by the Italian Radicals Political Party calling for a public referendum on Rome’s bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, Bid Committee Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo says there is no such need for a constituent vote.
The idea of a referendum to provide public support of an Olympic bid has been a hot button topic as of late, in light of the fact that Hamburg, Germany’s 2024 Games bid, once thought secure, was surprisingly voted down. As such, the city abandoned its hopes of hosting an Olympic Games in the short-term future and now just Rome, Los Angeles, Budapest and Paris remain as potential candidates.
Budapest isn’t clear of the referendum prospect, however, as support is reportedly growing for the public to be heard regarding the city’s 2024 Olympic Games candidacy. The decision on whether the referendum can proceed will be determined by Hungarian courts. If given the go-ahead, however, referendum supporters would need to collect 140,000 signatures in order to render a referendum as early as the spring.
With respect to Italy specifically, however, Di Montezemolo says, “The government has expressed maximum support, so we don’t see the necessity [for a referendum]. If someone wants to make publicity in an electoral campaign, let them do it. But we’re accustomed to dealing with institutions. I don’t see the necessity for a referendum right now.”
Not putting some taxpayers’ minds at ease, however, is the fact that the Rome 2024 bid’s budget has more than doubled from the original estimate. Originally set at €10m (£7.5m, US$10.8m), the figure sits more in the €24.9m (£18.7m, US$27m) ballpark.
However, Di Montezemolo points to the fact that, even with the marked increase, Rome’s rivals still estimate higher costs. Additionally, Rome’s bid is composed of using existing venues for 70% of the competition and identifies an operating budget of €6bn (£4.5bn, US$6.5bn), which is half of what it was at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The rights to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be awarded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in September 2017.
Interesting as to how to project 7 years out . Rome itself has a high debt & from the state of the streets & regular strike related rubbish pileups across Italy , it does not appear that Italians want to pay more taxes. Or if they do , they don’t trust the authorities .