"Olympics in Sardinia, why not?" Forza Italia MP Ugo Cappellacci says this with a smile, but not jokingly, in response to Matteo Renzi and his launch of Florence for the 2040 edition of the summer event.
"Renzi's enthusiasm for his Florence is good , and his long-term vision is good, but if Italy were to begin a reflection on the post-Milan Cortina era, we would seriously put a candidacy on the table: Sardinia 2040 for the Summer Olympics," the former governor blurts out.
Speaking in the debate on Italy's future Olympic bids, Cappellacci reiterated: "The widespread Milan-Cortina model demonstrates that major events can enhance large, distinctive regions capable of expressing the country's identity. From this perspective, Sardinia has solid characteristics: international appeal, hospitality, a climate, and a strong identity. And we're not starting from scratch when it comes to major events: the first preliminary regatta of the 38th America's Cup will be held in Cagliari from May 21 to 24, 2026. This internationally significant event confirms Sardinia's organizational credibility."
An Olympic bid, according to the Italian representative, "requires vision, infrastructure, investment, and strong national leadership. This is precisely why we need to start thinking about it early."
