Barcelona will bid to host 2024 America's Cup sailing race
Several Catalan administrations together with private sector working to beat cities such as Málaga and Cork
Barcelona will bid to host the 2024 America's Cup sailing race, the oldest sport trophy in international sport, established in 1851.
The Catalan capital wants to be the venue of the pinnacle of yachting, as was first published by 'La Vanguardia' newspaper on Friday and confirmed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN).
Barcelona has already informed officially to the organization that it is ready to host the event, and the initiative is the result of joint efforts by various Catalan public administrations and the private sector.
The city council, the Catalan government, and the Barcelona region authority (Diputació de Barcelona) are working together with Barcelona Global, a private and non-profit association that is trying to get the engagement of businesses.
The city will not have to wait much time in order to know whether it will be picked, since America's Cup will announce its venue for 2024 by March 31, 2022, that is, at the end of this month.
According to media specializing in sailing, other cities bidding to host the event include Málaga, in southern Spain; Cork, in Ireland; and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.
Valencia, the capital of the territory south of Catalonia also by the Mediterranean coast, hosted the 2007 and 2010 editions of the race – but although originally intending to bid for its 2024 edition, the Catalan-speaking city opted out.
2030 Winter Olympics
Catalonia is also intending to bid for a yet much larger event: the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Despite some opposition by local organizations and uncertainty over whether the Catalan, Spanish and Aragonese administrations will be able to cooperate, the plans are moving forward and a binding vote in six Pyrenean counties will take place this spring.
On Friday, the Catalan government named Mònica Bosch, the Catalan winter sports federation president, as coordinator of the 2030 Winter Olympics project.
Have a listen to our Filling the Sink recent podcast in order to know more about the 2030 Olympic bid Catalonia is leading:
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