World Sailing director of events Alistair Fox gave the Hungarian capital a "ringing endorsement", the Bid Committee said, following an inspection of Lake Balaton, located around an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Budapest.

Budapest 2024 have also confirmed they plan on developing a "water-based" stadium environment for sailing events should they be successful with their Olympic and Paralympic bid.

It will give spectators access to the medals course and the finish line, representing a move away from the normal way the sport is staged at the Games.

Sailing at Budapest 2024 would be held at an inland lake setting rather than open sea as at previous editions of the Games.

"In Balaton there is a unique opportunity to be innovative and to get more people on the water to enjoy watching sailing," Fox said.

"The conditions of open sea with wind and tides normally make it hard from a spectator point of view, but the calmer waters of an inland lake mean you can get people right in the middle of the action.

"It’s something we would want to really explore and encourage with the Budapest team if their bid to get the Games is successful."

Fox claimed Budapest 2024 would leave a great legacy for sailing in the region if the Hungarian capital is chosen to host the Olympics and Paralympics in eight years’ time.

Los Angeles and Paris are also bidding for the Games, with Rome’s effort currently suspended.

The International Olympic Committee will elect its chosen host city at its Session in Lima on September 13.

"We have always aimed for a very strong legacy from Olympic events, and the plans for Budapest would fit within that ideal," added Fox.

"The events and the infrastructure they are looking to develop would create a facility that would leave a long-lasting legacy in a very significant area of Central Europe.

"One of our key messages is that sailing is an inclusive activity that is an affordable sport for all.

"Holding the Games events in Balaton would inevitably provide opportunities for huge numbers both to watch and to then get involved in the sport themselves."

Budapest 2024 yesterday praised a decision not to hold a citywide referendum on whether they should abandon their Olympic and Paralympic bid.

Investigative journalist Katalin Erdelyi was given initial approval to ask the citizens of the Hungarian capital whether Budapest should carry on with its bid in October.

It has now been scrapped, however, with Erdelyi claiming there was not enough time to gain the 140,000 signatures required to force a vote on the issue.