The Italian Olympic chief has "reacted angrily" to the Rome mayor's decision to reject the city's bid to host the 2024 Games, and has "vowed to fight on," according to the BBC. Calling the decision "demagogic and populist," Giovanni Malago insisted the project was financially viable. Mayor Virginia Raggi, elected in June, said that holding the Games in Rome would be "irresponsible," and would leave the Italian capital indebted. Italian Olympic Committee Head Malago said, "Hearing 'No' hurts. I'm very sorry. It was possible to do this, and do it well. We will continue [with the bid] until I hear a formal no." Asked if the bid could now go on, he said, "Let's see." Malago was due to meet PM Matteo Renzi on Thursday to "see if the bid could be salvaged ahead of a final vote by Rome's council next week." However, Italian media said that Renzi was "unlikely to intervene." Malago: "Is there an alternative project for the city that will create new jobs? For the first time not even one of the environmental organizations opposed the project. Even the trade unions backed it." Rome bid officials set a budget of $6B to host the Games, "with a plan to use existing venues for 70% of the sites" (BBC, 9/22).
