Italy govt refuses to back Rome 2020 Olympic bid

February 14, 2012

ROME, Feb 14 — Italy's government will not support Rome's bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games because the country's financial situation is too difficult, Prime Minister Mario Monti said today.

"We arrived at the unanimous conclusion that in Italy's current condition the government does not feel able to take on the commitment to offer the (financial) guarantee," needed to host the Olympics, Monti told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

Doha, Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo have also said they will bid for the 2020 Games.

Rome hosted the Olympics in 1960 and planned to use many of the same venues if it was awarded the 2020 Games. — Reuters