Efforts to hold the Olympics in the Netherlands have already cost municipalities, provinces and the state nearly 190 million euros, even though the decision whether to launch a bid will not be made until 2016. 

The money has been spent on official trips, lobby committees and investments, RTL Nieuws reports. Sports accommodations suitable for the Olympics have cost 109 million euros. The remaining 81 million euros went to lobbies and feasibility studies.

Opposition parties in parliament are outraged at what they say is a huge expense. Socialist Party MP Renske Leijten described the sum as “insane”.  She said: “Invest in good basic sports, for our youth and those who aren’t yet actively engaged in sports, and stop wasting money on nice trips for the bureaucratic elite.”

(cl/imm)

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