Qatar May Pass on 2020; CONI Paying for Rome; Durban Confidence

Qatar Unsure About 2020

Qatar may decide to pass on a bid for the 2020 Olympics in favor of a pitch for the Games four years later, a source close to the Gulf state's Olympic committee tells Around the Rings.

The source also said Qatar's organization of the 12th Pan-Arab Games in December has been impacted by the current unrest in some Arab countries.

"I don't think they have a plan to try and organize the Olympic Games in 2020," the source told ATR Thursday. "I know they are interested in 2024. That is what I have heard all the time.

"But I am sure they have not made up their minds."

The staging of the FIFA World Cup in 2022 is accelerating the development of the oil-rich nation. An Olympic bid could complicate the timetable of the multi-billion dollar construction effort.

The source, who is familiar with Qatar's aggressive approach to bidding for international sports events, believes the country's government may take its cue from Brazil. The South American nation is using the 2014 World Cup to put in place some venue and infrastructural requirements needed for the Rio 2016 Games.

"With all the infrastructure being built for the [2022 World Cup], it all makes sense to do something afterwards. They [Qatar] are spending so much money in the years leading up to it," he added.

With Dubai and Abu Dhabi still mulling a bid for 2020, he suggested Doha could still be forced to enter a bid amid fears the United Arab Emirates might winning hosting rights.

Such a scenario would mean Doha would have to scrap its plan to bid for another Games in the Middle East in 2024.

The petroleum-rich Gulf state lost out on the 2016 Olympics, with Rio de Janeiro winning hosting rights in 2009.

In December, IOC president Jacques Rogge welcomed another Olympic bid from the Middle East.

"There is an interest in certain Middle Eastern countries for the Games, and we would welcome their bids," he said in Muscat as the 2nd Asian Beach Games got underway.

Expressions of interest from the region brought a change to the IOC's 2020 bidding contest.

Doha’s 2016 bid fell short because the IOC was unhappy with its plan to hold the Games in October to avoid the blistering desert summer temperatures.

The IOC is now asking for NOCs to request submission of proposed dates, if nations want to stage the Games outside the normal period set by the IOC (July 15 and August 31). The IOC will respond to NOCs on these points by the end of August. The deadline for applicant city nominations from NOCs is Sept. 1.

In the coming months, Qatar's sportsleaders are focusing much of their efforts on the 12th Pan-Arab Games.

With less than eight months until the multisport event, Qatar is currently facing significant challenges in its preparations.

The ATR source claimed that the toppling of governments in the region and unrest in other Arab countries was causing "major problems" in communications between organizers and some of the 22 participating NOCs such as Libya and Syria.

CONI Coughs Up for Rome

The Italian Olympic Committee will spend $1.4 million to start the Rome 2020 bid committee.

CONI approved the decision at its National Board meeting earlier this week.

The funds will allow the bid committee to have money for consulting services, equipment, and other needs of a bid.

Rome 2020 already has an office in Rome in the CONI complex.

Gianni Petrucchi, CONIpresident, said that while Rome can enjoy being the only bid city, other cities would surely enter the race as well.

Bids from Japan, South Africa, Spain and possibly the Middle East and India are expected to be presented.

The IOC formally opens the bidding process on May 16, when National Olympic Committees can begin submitting their applications. A host will be selected at the 2013 IOC session in Buenos Aires.

Bid director general Ernesto Albanese updated delegates on the administrative work the bid has carried out so far.

IOC member Franco Carraro, who is leading CONI’s Feasibility Commission for the bid, updated the board on his progress promoting the bid, now in its infancy.

Also approved was the bid board structure. Twenty-one members will comprise the board.

Rome Readies Parliamentary Budget Request

Rome 2020 chairman Mario Pescante says he is planning to launch a motion in parliament that would provide political support for the campaign.

"If we have a parliamentary motion in place that's something you can't question. It's bipartisan," Pescante tells Associated Press in an article published Thursday.

Pescante says he expects the bid to cost about $57 million to stage. He says that once IOC colleague Franco Carraro finishes a feasibility study, he will present the motion in parliament; June is the target, he tells AP.

Durban 2020

Logie Naidoo, deputy mayor of Durban, says the city is confident it will put on a good IOC Session, which will be a boost for an Olympic bid.

"We will roll out the red carpet and convince the IOC board and conference members that Durban is capable of hosting the Olympics" he was quoted by South African media.

"We believe that we are on the right track and are fairly confident that we will pip the other cities and win the right to bid," Naidoo said.

The Session is scheduled to take place July 6-9.

Durban must beat out the other South African cities that want to bid, including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

Naidoo also said Durban has "perfect weather" for an Olympics.

Written by Mark Bisson and Ed Hula III.