(ATR) Italy is no longer bidding to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, leaving France, Ireland and South Africa as the only contenders to host the competition. The four countries announced their intentions to bid in June 2015.
The decision by the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) stems from the opposition of the Rome 2024 Olympic bid by the city's Mayor Virginia Raggi, who was elected in June.
"The conditions are no longer there for Italy's candidacy, which was closely linked to that of Rome 2024," said FIR chief Alfredo Gavazzi.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup would have given the Rome 2024 organizers a test run at staging major international competition if the bid city was awarded the Games at the 2017 IOC Session in Lima, Peru.
The Rome City Council is set to make its final decision on whether to support the Rome 2024 bid during its session on Thursday, Sep. 29. It supported the bid at the onset of the candidature but Raggi'santi-establishment 5-Star Movement now holds a majority on the council.
Rome is competing with Budapest, Los Angeles and Paris to host the 2024 Games.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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