MILAN — The government’s proposal to make this regional capital run for the Olympic candidacy in either 2028 or 2032 should Rome refuse to run for 2024 has met with mixed reactions from high-ranking officials in both cities. 

 Mayor of Rome of Virginia Raggi was largely unphased by the proposal, and said discussions on whether Rome will retract her candidacy would take place some time around late September, probably after the 18th when the president of Italy’s Paralympic committee Luca Pancalli is due to come back from the Rio Olympics. The two will be joined by Luca di Montezemolo, president of the Organising committee and former head of Ferrari. 

 Meanwhile, President of Lombardy Roberto Maroni was quick to support Milan’s proposed bid, but his hastiness was met with opposition from the likes of Beppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, who said the governor was “getting ahead of himself” after posting a Facebook poll asking his fans if they would support a theoretical Milan 2024 bid, since the application deadline set by the Olympic Committee has already passed.

 Nevertheless, the city would able to run for 2028 or, if Paris were to win the 2024 bid, for the year 2032 given the tradition of alternating between continents. 

 The decision-making process would have to start in 12 months from now, on Sept 13 of next year, when the Olympic committee meet in Lima to choose who will host the 2024 Games.

 Either way, Sala was keen to move on: “Given how many pressing issues we’re being faced with right now, I don’t think now is the time to talk about it.”

 “Let’s leave things where they are for now and start addressing higher priority topics.”

lej