Bari’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games was rejected Wednesday just hours after it was formalized in writing to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), because Bari’s mayor Michele Emiliano had not followed strict rules over candidature, reports Reuters.
The Italian Olympic Committee said in a statement, “the request cannot be considered admissible by CONI”.
The rules were introduced after CONI president Gianni Petrucci criticized Italian cities for expressing interest without proper consultation.
He said last month, “this doesn’t look good abroad. It’s not enough just to hold a news conference to put yourselves forward for an Olympics. There are as many Italian cities bidding as there are pizzas in Naples”.
Petrucci has acknowledged interest from Rome and Venice, and CONI will now consider one candidate, with Bari officials pondering whether a second attempt is worthwhile, reports Reuters.
