The IOC has defined the framework for awarding the next Olympic Games: the host country for the 2036 Games will be known in the spring of 2029, in less than three years. It's not tomorrow, but almost. Italy knows this. Its sports and political leaders are considering submitting a bid to return to hosting the Summer Games, something that hasn't happened since Rome 1960. This September should be the month to clarify matters.
The deadline of March 2027
Luciano Buonfiglio, president of CONI, is personally working on this matter. He has already spoken with mayors and regional presidents, all enthusiastic about the idea of a bid centered around Rome, with some of the events taking place near Naples (particularly sailing). The next step is to sound out the government at a higher level. According to La RepubblicaBuonfiglio wants to discuss the matter with the government in the coming weeks to obtain the necessary guarantees to enter the race. The IOC has set the first deadline for March 2027, when the executive board " From among the interested parties participating in the ongoing dialogue, those who will be admitted to the strategic dialogue will be selected. During this new transitional phase, these interested parties will have to complete the questionnaire for the future host and provide essential financial guarantees. »
The context will not necessarily be the easiest to grasp, as 2027 will be a year of parliamentary elections in Italy, but the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has no choice: the IOC has set the calendar, and it must adapt. The accounts of the organizing committee for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games are another thorn in their side: they are not yet finalized, but a significant deficit is loomingThe end of the year will clarify the situation, but the state, regions, and host cities have already had time to come to terms with the fact that they will have to dig deep into their pockets to plug the gaps, estimated at tens—or even hundreds—of millions of euros. Not ideal for preparing a new bid.
The president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has begun working on a bid based on maximizing existing facilities, and Rome has the advantage of possessing a large number of them, including the Foro Italico, a legacy of the 1960 Summer Games – boasting a 70.000-seat Olympic stadium, tennis courts used annually for the Masters 1000 tournament, and a swimming pool that has already been featured in the 2009 World Swimming Championships and the 2022 European Championships. There are now six months to put together a bid strong enough to be accepted by the IOC. Or to postpone this Olympic ambition until 2040.
