ROAD TO 2024: Budapest to Exit Bidding Process

The Hungarian capital city of Budapest is set to exit the bidding process for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The withdrawal would leave Los Angeles and Paris as the remaining competitors.

A Hungarian government spokesperson has confirmed that the city will end its campaign to host the Games, following talks between between Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos and the Hungarian Olympic Committee.

The Budapest bid encountered substantial opposition after over 260,000 people signed a petition to force a referendum on the issue.

The decision to drop the bid will be formally voted on by the Budapest City Assembly, but is expected to be agreed upon.

Fidesz, the governing party, said the decision was made to avoid “a loss of international prestige” as the bid was considered unlikely to succeed.