The Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima is a reminder of the devastation of nuclear weapons. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are exploring a joint bid for the 2020 Olympics to promote peace. (Getty Images)(ATR) The joint bid proposal by Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the 2020 Olympic is impossible under IOC rules.
Gilbert Felli, the IOC's director for Olympic Games, told the Kyodo News Agency on Tuesday that only one city can make a bid for the games.
"The Olympic Charter clearly states only one city can host the Olympics. It does not allow two cities to co-host the games. At the moment, the answer is no," he said.
Felli did leave open the possibility that one city could host the games and the other could host the first stage of a sport such as football.
There is proposal to review bid policies but Felli said it is unlikely any change would happen before the official bid process for the 2020 Games starts in 2011. The IOC will select a host city for 2020 in 2013.
Hiroshima mayor Tadatoshi Akiba and Nagasaki mayor Tomihisa Taue announced the bid on Sunday, eight days after Tokyo's failed bid for the 2016 games. The mayors said they hope to use the Olympics to promote a nuclear free world and peace.
The mayors established a joint committee to study the game's feasibility.
The joint-bid proposal might have other obstacles besides the IOC's current rules. Distance is another factor with about 300 km separating Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Third Italian City Eyes 2020
Palermo is latest Italian city to express an interest in the 2020 Summer Olympics joining Rome and Venice.
Palermo will make a formal announcement on Thursday at a news conference in Rome.
Venice and Rome declared their bids soon after Rio de Janeiro won the 2016 Games on Oct. 2.
The Italian Olympic Committee will decide which city to support if the government backs a bid. Under the IOC's charter, only one city from a single country can make a bid for the Olympics.
The Olympics have been to Italy three times. Rome hosted the 1960 Summer Games. The Winter Olympics were held in Turin in 2006 and Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956.
CGF Chief Supports Fiji Athletes
Commonwealth Games President Mike Fennell would like Fiji's athletes to be able to participate in the 2010 Games in Delhi.
The Commonwealth The CGF General Assembly ended on Monday in New Delhi. (Getty Images)suspended Fiji on Sept. 1 after its military government refused to hold elections by October 2010. The CGF executive board announced on Monday that Fiji was suspended from the federation because under the constitution a territory must be in good standing in the Commonwealth in order to be part of the CGF.
Fennell will lead a delegation to the Commonwealth General Secretary asking that sports be removed as a sanction in order for Fiji's athletes to compete in the 2010 Delhi Games.
"The CGF Executive Board, and all members of the General Assembly, had great sympathy for the plight of the Fijian athletes who are aspiring to compete in Delhi," Fennell said.
Briefly
Austrian Olympian skier Hermann Maier announced his retirement on Tuesday. Maier won two gold medals at the Nagano Olympics, four overall World Cups, three world titles and 54 career races. The 36-year old was known for amazing spills and he said health concerns were a part of his decision to retire.
Written by Sam Steinberg.
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