Overview
- The three regions and the cities issued a joint statement Tuesday to open an exploratory phase for a 2036 bid, creating a six-person team of chiefs of staff.
- Backers propose a “diffused” Games that rely on existing venues, limit new construction, and aim for lower costs and emissions in line with IOC guidance.
- Next steps include talks with Italy’s Olympic committee (CONI) and the government, since only CONI can submit a bid after securing state guarantees.
- The effort could face a domestic rival from Rome and an international field as the IOC, now led by Kirsty Coventry, has paused the usual selection process, with interest already signaled by Ahmedabad, Doha, Istanbul, Santiago, and South Africa.
- Promoters call 2036 the target and 2040 the fallback, and Milan’s mayor pointed to faster rail links between the cities and a likely 2029 host decision as factors that could support a three-city plan.