Italy Eyes 2040 Summer Olympics Bid Following Winter Games Success
Following the resounding success of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, which International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry lauded for establishing “a new, very high standard,” Italian organisers are now casting their gaze towards a potential bid for the 2040 Summer Games. Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), voiced his conviction over the weekend that “our country deserves another Summer Olympics.” However, he tempered this ambition with the crucial caveat that “a candidacy has to be agreed on and shared with the government.”
This forward-looking prospect emerges against a backdrop of past Olympic bid disappointments for the Eternal City, Rome. A decade ago, Rome’s bid for the 2024 Games was famously scuppered by then-Mayor Virginia Raggi. Prior to that, in 2020, then-Premier Mario Monti withdrew the city’s candidacy due to significant financial concerns. The sting of narrowly missing out on hosting the 2004 Games to Athens in the final round of voting still lingers.
Giovanni Malagò, the esteemed head of the Milan Cortina organising committee and a former CONI president, acknowledged these past setbacks. He suggested that such “scars help you remember” the defeats, framing them as valuable lessons learned. Malagò, who also holds a position as an IOC member, pointed out that Rome possesses two key advantages in the eyes of Olympic circles: its “unique” history of unsuccessful bids and, critically, a ready-made centerpiece venue for any potential Summer Games candidacy.
Rome’s Olympic Potential: Existing Infrastructure and A Proven Track Record
“Rome has a 70,000-seat stadium with an athletics track — which is huge in terms of sustainability,” Malagò stated, highlighting the significant advantage of existing infrastructure.
The existing Stadio Olimpico, along with the encompassing Foro Italico complex, presents a natural and iconic setting for two of the most prominent sports in the Summer Olympics: athletics and swimming. This established sporting precinct significantly reduces the need for costly new construction, aligning with modern Olympic principles of sustainability and legacy.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri expressed his optimism during the Milan Cortina Games, asserting that his city possesses “the conditions” to mount another Olympic bid. He drew a parallel to the immense organisational success of the 2025 Holy Year, which welcomed over 33 million visitors to the capital and the Vatican. “If it’s considered a realistic goal, I’m open to collaborating with the IOC, government and CONI in order to create the most competitive bid possible,” Gualtieri declared. “A capital like Rome should not be afraid of big challenges. The Jubilee showed off our organisational capacity for big events.”
The Global Olympic Landscape and Future Considerations
The path to hosting the 2040 Games is not without its competition. With the 2028 Games allocated to Los Angeles and the 2032 Games set to be held in Brisbane, Australia, the landscape for future Olympic host cities is dynamic. India and Qatar have already signalled their intentions to bid for the 2036 Games, suggesting that the 2040 Summer Games might well return to Europe.
However, Malagò cautioned against premature discussions. “Now is not the time to discuss this. It’s premature, wrong and even counterproductive,” he advised. “We need to understand the geopolitical landscape for post-2032.” This pragmatic approach underscores the need for careful strategic planning, taking into account the evolving global political and economic climate.
Speculation abounds regarding Malagò’s own political ambitions, with whispers of a potential run for Rome mayor once his duties with Milan Cortina conclude. He remained coy on the matter, stating he would discuss “ideas that I have in mind” after the upcoming Paralympics.
Andrea Abodi, Italy’s Minister for Sport and Youth, offered a succinct perspective on the bidding process: “It doesn’t necessarily require an announcement to build a winning bid.” This suggests that behind-the-scenes work and strategic development are already underway, laying the groundwork for a potential Italian bid. The emphasis is clearly on a well-prepared and collaborative approach, leveraging past experiences and existing strengths to present a compelling case for Rome to host the world’s premier sporting event once more.
