Italy quashes Bari's Olympic dream

ROME, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The Italian Olympic Committee Wednesday said it is blocking a bid from Bari for the 2020 Olympics, leaving Rome and Venice as the country's credible entries.

Committee chief Gianni Petrucci said in a letter to Bari Mayor Michele Emiliano that Bari, a large city on Italy's southeastern coast, did not have the assets to mount a realistic bid for the Games, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. The committee ruled out Parlermo last month for the same reason. Milan has withdrawn its bid.

International Olympic Committee Vice President Mario Pescante said he was not sure Italy could make a credible bid for the 2020 Summer Games, ANSA reported. ''We're getting to the point where it's beyond a joke," he said. "Bids are being made just out of local pride, just to get people talking."