Rome – Following the success of the recent Winter Olympics, Italy is once again considering a bid to host the Summer Olympic Games, potentially as early as 2040. The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) believes the nation has earned the right to host another Games, but stresses a measured approach and full government support will be crucial.
The possibility of a bid comes after Italy successfully co-hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, a Games lauded for its sustainability and cost-effective approach. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry praised the organizers for setting a high standard for future events.
Italy’s previous attempt to secure the Summer Games, a bid for the 2024 edition, faltered in 2016 when then-Rome Mayor Virginia Raggiová withdrew her support due to concerns about the city’s financial stability. This left Paris, Los Angeles, and Budapest as the remaining contenders, with Paris ultimately winning the bid. Raggiová’s decision stemmed from a desire to avoid burdening the heavily indebted city with the massive costs associated with hosting the Olympics.
However, the current climate appears more favorable. Roberto Gualtieri, the current Mayor of Rome, has expressed openness to collaborating with the IOC, the national government, and CONI to develop a viable bid. “If it is considered a realistic goal, I am open to working with the IOC, the government and the Italian Olympic Committee to create the best possible candidacy,” Gualtieri stated, adding that Rome, having successfully managed the influx of 33 million visitors during the Holy Year of 2025, is capable of handling the logistical challenges of the Olympics.
Ivo Ferriani, President of the Italian Bob and Skeleton Federation and an IOC member, echoed this sentiment, stating that it would be remiss of Italy not to explore a bid after the success of the Winter Games. He as well proposed a bold, potentially unconventional approach to hosting, suggesting a multi-city bid involving Rome, Milan, and Venice – a concept he playfully dubbed “Ro-Mi-Ve,” referencing the MiCo convention center in Milan.
Ferriani acknowledged the logistical complexities of such a geographically dispersed bid, noting the cities are hundreds of kilometers apart. However, he believes the success of the Milan-Cortina model, which utilized multiple venues to reduce costs and enhance sustainability, demonstrates the viability of innovative approaches. The concept aims to leverage the strengths of each city: Rome’s historical significance, Milan’s organizational credibility, and Venice’s unique cultural appeal.
The shift in perspective comes as the IOC increasingly emphasizes sustainability and cost-effectiveness in its selection criteria. The Milan-Cortina Winter Games served as a successful case study, demonstrating that a geographically distributed model can deliver a memorable Olympic experience while minimizing financial strain on host cities.
The logistical challenges of hosting the Summer Games are, of course, different. Summer sports like yachting and surfing inherently require coastal locations, potentially necessitating venues separate from the main Olympic hub. This was the case in Paris, where shooting events were held outside the city center, and will be again in Los Angeles for water slalom.
Despite these challenges, the Italian Olympic Committee believes the time is right to revisit the possibility of hosting the Summer Games. A successful bid would not only bring significant economic benefits to Italy but also provide a platform to showcase the nation’s rich culture and sporting heritage to the world. The next step involves securing the full support of the Italian government and developing a detailed feasibility study to assess the costs and benefits of a potential bid.
The IOC is expected to begin the process of selecting a host city for the 2040 Summer Olympics in the coming years. Italy’s renewed interest adds another potential contender to the field, promising a competitive bidding process.
What’s next? The Italian Olympic Committee will present its initial findings and proposals to the government in the coming months, outlining a potential roadmap for a 2040 bid. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates as this story develops.
