ROAD TO 2024: Final Budapest Decision Still Weeks Away

Budapest 2024 Chairman Balazs Furjes has confirmed today that a final decision on the city’s 2024 Olympic and Paralympic bid will not be made for several weeks. There had been serious doubts over the future of the Budapest bid, after a petition to force a national referendum attracted over 250,000 signatures.

Budapest Mayor István Tarlós has a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to review the city’s bid, after the national youth organisation Momentum Mozgalom claimed it had fulfilled the requirements to force a city-wide referendum.

Despite the political unrest regarding the bid, there is still thought to be significant support for Budapest 2024 amongst the Hungarian population and the bid could yet regain momentum in the coming weeks. Key personnel remain optimistic about the prospect of Budapest remaining in the race.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is said to be surprised at the developments in Budapest, with the referendum generating almost twice the minimum support required to force a vote.