He claimed that the Romanian capital is investigating putting itself forward following a poll which showed that 93 per cent of people in the country were behind the idea.

"In Bucharest, 85 per cent of citizens back the initiative," said Oprescu. 

"The poll was conducted over the phone and grilled 3,700 people in Bucharest and 3,200 across the country."

Oprescu claimed that hosting the Games would help improve the country's economy and image abroad. 

He plans to harness the support of Romanian athletes who live outside the country, like former gymnast Nadia Comăneci, who won nine Olympic medals, including five gold in Montreal in 1976 and Moscow in 1980.

"I've already started making lists of athletes with great results in previous Olympics who live abroad," Oprescu said.

Oprescu claimed that he would fund the bid without raising taxes. 

The campaign for 2020 is already shaping up as one of the most competitive in the history of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Rome are the only confirmed bidders but among the other cities that have expressed a serious interest are Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, New Delhi and Tokyo.

A South African city is also expected to bid.

The IOC is due to pick the host city at its annual Session in Buenos Aires in 2013.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]