The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) faces a looming internal decision as two rival Italian bids emerge for the 2036 Summer Olympics, with Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala this week insisting his northern tri-city proposal will move forward despite a competing Rome-Naples pitch from the south.
Why This Matters
• Italy's Olympic ambitions are fragmented: Two separate bids—Milan-Turin-Genoa versus Rome-Naples—are being developed simultaneously, creating a rare intra-national contest.
• A stadium problem threatens the northern bid: Milan's proposal lacks a modern Olympic-standard athletics venue, which Sala himself admits could "make it difficult to imagine the candidacy is strong."
• CONI will decide, not politics: The final selection of Italy's official candidate will be made by a vote of CONI's constituent bodies, replicating the process used for the recent winter games.
The Northern Coalition: Ambition Without Athletics
The Milan-Turin-Genoa bid has been developed by the governments of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria. The proposal leans heavily on a "diffused games" model, repurposing existing sports, university, and exhibition infrastructure rather than building new facilities. This approach aligns with international trends emphasizing environmental and economic sustainability.
Yet one glaring gap persists: none of the three cities currently possesses a modern Olympic stadium with an athletics track suitable for hosting opening ceremonies and track-and-field events. Turin's Stadio Olimpico, which served the 2006 Winter Games, had its track removed years ago. In Milan, the future of San Siro stadium remains entangled in disputes between the city's two football clubs and municipal authorities, further complicating any Olympic planning.
Sala, who has championed the northern bid, acknowledged the challenge in recent conversations. "If we don't find a solution for the stadium, it's difficult to imagine the candidacy being strong," he said, vowing to advance the proposal seriously in coming discussions with other cities.
The Rome-Naples Alternative: Southern Revival
Meanwhile, officials from Rome and Naples have been developing a competing bid. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Naples representatives are anchoring their proposal in Italy's capital and the southern port city, seeking to position a Rome-Naples candidacy as a viable alternative to the northern coalition.
CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio has publicly stated that the selection process will weigh all proposals fairly, with the committee's constituent bodies ultimately deciding which bid to support as Italy's official candidate.
Sala's response to the southern competition has been measured. "I understand there is a serious candidacy from Rome or perhaps Rome plus Naples, and I think it's right that we move forward with our own candidacy," he said. "There's no need to be scandalized if there are two proposals."
How the Selection Process Works
Contrary to public perception, the decision on which Italian city—or cities—to put forward for the 2036 Olympics will not be made by politicians. Instead, CONI's constituent bodies will vote, mirroring the process that led to Italy winning the rights to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. That mechanism insulates the selection from direct government interference, though political backing remains critical for funding and logistical support.
What This Means for Residents
For Italians living in or around Milan, Turin, Genoa, Rome, or Naples, the Olympic question carries tangible implications:
• Infrastructure investment or debt: Hosting the Games typically triggers large public expenditures. The northern bid's emphasis on existing venues aims to minimize new construction, but the stadium problem could force costly solutions.
• Tourism and economic boost: A successful Olympic host can expect increased international attention and media exposure.
• Political capital: Whichever region wins CONI's backing will gain significant national prestige and potentially accelerated infrastructure timelines, even if the bid ultimately fails on the world stage.
• Tax and opportunity cost: Public funding for Olympic bids often competes with spending on healthcare, transport, and social services. Transparency about budget commitments will be essential.
A Test of Regional Unity
Italy's twin Olympic bids underscore the country's decentralized ambitions and regional rivalries. The northern coalition banks on its recent Olympic experience—Turin 2006 and Milan-Cortina 2026—as proof of capacity. The southern proposal seeks to position Naples and Rome as complementary hosts.
Both pitches emphasize sustainability, yet neither has resolved the fundamental question of where the athletics competitions and opening ceremonies would take place. The stadium issue, in particular, looms as a significant challenge for the northern bid, especially in Milan, where municipal politics and football club interests have complicated stadium planning.
Sala's insistence on advancing the northern bid reflects confidence in the proposal's potential. Whether CONI's voting members agree, and the ultimate willingness of Italian taxpayers to fund another Olympic bid less than a decade after the winter edition in Milan-Cortina, remains to be determined.
For now, the race to host the 2036 Summer Olympics is as much about Italian regional identity as it is about international sport—a contest to define which corner of the country can best represent the nation on the world stage.
