Prague - Prague's dream - or rather Prague Mayor Pavel Bém's dream - of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in the capital faces a serious challenge.
A candidate questionnaire, to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee by January 14 next year, is still waiting for the government's approval.
Political annoyances
Everything has been slowed down due to the complicated process of finding a new Minister of Education, Youth and Sports - the government figure that is supposed to introduce the questionnaire to the cabinet.
If the government won't make it until the deadline, chances of Prague winning the bid will practically be reduced to nothing.
The new Minister of Education Ondřej Liška received the material some time ago, but it's not clear when exactly he is going to produce it to the government.
Tomáš Petera, the chief of the company Praha olympijská (The Olympic Prague) - one of the main driving forces spearheading the whole effort - informed that he hasn't yet met with the Minister, whose opinion thus remains unknown. Petera has only seen his deputy.
In addition to the time pressure, the Olympic bid has yet another enemy: the Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek. During recent question time in the parliament he informed that he isn't prepared to approve it.
Estimated costs: 4,7 billion euro
However, the preparations go on. Petera presented a study by Pricewaterhouse Coopers this week which estimates the probable cost of the games.
According to the report, Prague would have to pay 88 billion Czech crowns (3,4 billion euro) in direct costs. Another 35 billion (1,3 billion) would have to be paid indirectly.
That is 13 billion less than what another analysis three years ago suggested.
"It's because of our new conception," explained Petera. According to him, the games would demand smaller number of new stadiums to be built.
The work has begun
Regardless of the uncertainty, the work on a number of new sports areas has already begun. But there are going to be more reconstructions than new buildings.
The estimated 35 billion crowns in indirect costs are being used precisely for these projects, said Petera.
As far as the overall budget is concerned, Prague wants to make sure the biggest part of it is covered by the projected revenue from the games. Contributions from the IOC and donors, together with proceeds from ticket sales and broadcasting rights are expected to reach some 40 billion crowns.
The city of Prague and the regions are supposed to provide 22 billion crowns, private sector will put together 30 billion more and 25 billion crown cheque should come from the state budget.
