The Italian government says it will no longer back a bid to stage the 2026 Winter Olympics jointly in Milan, Turin and Cortina after the mayors of the three cities failed to unite behind the project.
"The proposal does not have the support of the government so it dies here," Sports Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti told parliament. "Doubt and suspicion prevailed."
The government decision will make it almost impossible for the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) to press ahead with the plan, although local media said it might try to recast the proposal in the coming hours to salvage its bid.
Three cities have already pulled out of the 2026 race, with Japan's Sapporo, Switzerland's Sion and Austria's Graz all previously announcing their decision to withdraw.
Calgary, Stockholm and Turkey's Erzurum are the only three definitely left in the running, with the International Olympic Committee next month due to name the city or cities which will enter the one-year candidature phase.
