ROME (Sputnik) — The bidding process to host the 2024 Summer Olympics started in 2015. Los Angeles, Rome, Paris, Budapest and Hamburg are competing to host the world's biggest sporting event. The host will be announced at the 130th International Olympic Committee Session in Peru on September 13, 2017.
"The costs for the Olympic Games in 2024 are estimated at 13 billion euros [$14.5 billion]. How could we spend all these billions, while there are serious problems in the city that require far more urgent attention? We can not make decisions at the expense of Romans' interests," member of the council from the Five Star Movement (M5S) Sara Seccia said after the vote.
All but one of the city council members either opposed the idea of the referendum or abstained from voting.
Rome mayor Virginia Raggi, who won the mayoral election in June, has repeatedly voiced her opposition to Rome hosting the Games, as she believes it would lead to huge debt. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi insists that Rome should host the 2024 Olympics.
