Premier Matteo Renzi says Italy will bid with a different city for 2028 if Rome's mayor rejects the capital's candidacy for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Renzi has told Rtl radio: "The decision is up to the city and we'll accept that - it's either yes or no".
"I think it would be a mistake, a very sad move" (if Rome dropped out).
But Renzi added that "if the city decides no, it means that for 2028, we'll bid with another city".
New Rome mayor Virginia Raggi has voiced opposition to the 2024 bid, but has not formally rejected the candidacy.
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A decision is expected by October when the next part of the bid dossier is due at the International Olympic Committee.
The other 2024 bidders are Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest.
