Austrian Olympic Committee Says It Will Back Vienna Bid For '24, '28 Games

Austria's Olympic Committee (OeOC) President Karl Stoss said that his country "will back any bid by Vienna to host the 2024 or 2028 Olympic Games," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. Vienna Mayor Michael Häupl was quoted in the Austrian media on Tuesday as saying that he "planned to hold a referendum in March on the candidacy." An "official announcement about the referendum" will be made on Friday. Stoss said in a statement: "This is news to us, but basically we support any sort of Olympic initiative, as long as it has a realistic chance of success and has the financial means for the candidacy and the necessary infrastructure requirements." OeOC Secretary General Peter Mennel said, "London 2012 was an impressive example of what effect the Summer Games can have" (REUTERS, 12/12).