After Milano Cortina, Veneto's former governor pushes Venice bid for 2036, 2040 Games

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Feb 19 : In the wake of the Milano Cortina Olympics, the former governor of the Veneto region wants to put forward the city of Venice and the surrounding Italian regions as candidates to host the 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympics, with a focus on preserving the lagoon city.

The Winter Olympics were the first example of Games hosted across multiple cities in Northern Italy over an area of more than 22,000 square kilometres (8500 square miles) with transport challenges as the main concern, although disruptions so far seemed limited for spectators and athletes.

"The Milano Cortina case showed the world the potential of the regions and of Italy. This expertise cannot go to waste. We are ready to take on another challenge," Luca Zaia told Reuters.

The project, which is still in its infancy, does not envisage the fragile lagoon city itself hosting competitions or the Olympic village, but Venice could become a laboratory for climate change issues, particularly those related to water, the former governor said.

"Venice would only have a symbolic role, a focal point for the bid, but it would serve as an international showcase to promote the values of sustainability and the protection of a UNESCO World Heritage site," he said.

"We must avoid any form of overcrowding in Venice; on the contrary, we must protect it," he added.

The project - yet to be discussed with either the IOC leadership or Italian authorities - foresees that events could be hosted on Lake Garda, which straddles Veneto and Lombardy, and in stadiums in Veneto cities such as Verona or Padua.

"If I meet Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Olympic closing ceremony in Verona on Sunday, I will bring it up," Zaia said.

The next two Summer Olympics will take