ROME (AP) " Italy suspended Rome's bid for the 2024 Olympics on Tuesday, forced to pull the plug because of the staunch opposition of the city's mayor. The International Olympic Committee said it had "taken note" of the Italian decision and "will further explore with the candidature committee what this means." It's also the second time in four years that a Rome bid has been withdrawn or suspended. "I feel like I've been robbed of hope," Rome bid vice president and Italian Paralympic Committee president Luca Pancalli said. Four cities withdrew during the bidding for the 2022 Winter Games, leaving only two candidates in the field.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 11, 2016 10:44 UTC