ROME (AP) — The Italian government is warning the financial crisis could be a stumbling block for Rome’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Sports Minister Piero Gnudi said Thursday that Premier Mario Monti’s new government, which has been slashing spending to reduce national debt, was noncommittal about guaranteeing funds for the games.
A $42.7 million bid budget was approved by a Rome bid committee in November.
Bid promoters on Thursday gave Monti a report predicting the Olympics would create 29,000 jobs in 2020 and 12,000 jobs in the run-up to the games.
Rome is among six cities bidding for the 2020 Games along with Baku, Azerbaijan; Doha, Qatar; Istanbul; Madrid; and Tokyo.
