Budapest may be one of the contenders for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, a vote of 125-1 by the Hungarian Olympic Committee (HOC) confirmed. But HOC officials said Friday they will carry out a feasibility study before making a definite decision, possibly in May.
An Olympic Patronage Board has been set up to carry out a study which is expected to be finished by the end of May and a decision made soon after.
A major challenge for the Hungarian Olympic Committee could come from the city’s political authorities, with Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos having dismissed the bid as “unrealistic” and “unviable” when it was first discussed in September. But it was before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made Agenda 2020 changes which guarantee more support from the IOC for bidding cities and raises the possibility of more events being held outside the host city to reduce costs and take advantage of pre-existing venues.
Hungarian officials said some events like canoe slalom, could be held outside Budapest or even outside Hungary.
Budapest has never hosted a Summer or Winter Games but has bid unsuccessfully five times for Games in 1916, 1920, 1936, 1944 and 1960.
Meanwhile a decision by the German Olympic and Sports Confederation on whether to nominate either Berlin or Hamburg to bid for the 2024 Games is due on March 21.
Rome and Boston are bidding for the 2024 Games and France, South Africa, Qatar and Azerbaijan are also considering possible bids.
The International Olympic Committee will choose a winner in 2017.
