ROME (Sputnik) – Rome withdrew its bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city's mayor Virginia Raggi said on Wednesday, citing vast expenditures on the sport events as the reason.
"We are not against sport or against the Olympics but it is irresponsible to say "yes" to the bid for the Olympics," Raggi who represents the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) said, adding that the 2024 Games required amount of spending Rome could not afford.
According to Raggi, the city is still paying off debts incurred by the 1960 Olympic Games.
"The Olympics is a dream turning into a nightmare," Raggi said.
Withdrawal of Rome's bid leaves Paris, Budapest and Los Angeles contesting in the race for the 2024 Games, which will end in September 2017.
