Milan, Turin discussing possible 2026 Olympic bid with CONI

A-view-of-Turin,-Italy,-with-the-main-city-landmark,-the-Mole-Antonelliana,-at-right,-and-the-Alps-in-background-are-seen-in-this-December-2005-photo.-Milan-and-Turin-are-in-discussions-with-the-Italian-Olympic-Committee-over-a-possible-bid-for-the-2026-Winter-Games.-Turin-Mayor-Chiara-Appendino-sent-a-letter-of-interest-to-CONI-on-Sunday-despite-divisions-in-her-own-party,-the-populist-5-Star-Movement,-on-a-candidacy.-(Massimo-Pinca/AP)

A view of Turin, Italy. (Massimo Pinca/AP)

ROME — Milan and Turin are in discussions with the Italian Olympic Committee about a possible bid for the 2026 Winter Games.

Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino sent a letter of interest to CONI on Sunday despite divisions in her own party, the populist 5-Star Movement, on a candidacy. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala met with CONI president Giovanni Malago on Monday.

"I think Milan has everything required but we won’t do anything without a government and its approval," Sala said Tuesday.

Italy awaits a new government in the next few weeks following a national election this month that yielded no clear majority.

CONI is still recovering from its dropped Rome bid for the 2024 Summer Games, which ended following staunch opposition from Mayor Virginia Raggi, who also represents the 5-Star Movement.

Among the cities which have shown preliminary interest for 2026: Stockholm, Sweden; Calgary, Canada; Sion, Switzerland; and Sapporo, Japan.

Turin hosted the Winter Games in 2006. The 2026 host will be decided by the International Olympic Committee in Milan in September 2019.

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