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Italy to submit another city in 2028 if Rome rejects 2024 Olympic bid

Italy will look to 2028 if Rome withdraws its Olympic bid for 2024, says Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
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Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says his country will submit a bid with a different city for the 2028 Olympics if Rome rejects the candidacy for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The other bidders for the 2024 games are Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest.

Rome mayor Virginia Raggi has said that winning the bid for the games is not a priority, and instead wants to focus on "abandoned municipal installations and sport in schools."

Renzi said he will accept whatever decision Rome comes to, but added, "I think it would be a mistake, a very sad move" if Rome drops out.

"If the city decides no, it means that for 2028 we'll bid with another city," Renzi told RTl radio. "The Olympics is a fantastic thing, they bring a lot of money on the periphery, are a great opportunity and I think for a job well done by Coni we are ahead. But the decision is up to the City and we take note: it's either yes or no, if not Rome."

The 2020 Summer Games will be held in Tokyo, and the announcement on the winning city of the 2024 games will be made Sept. 13, 2017.

- Scooby Axson