The Associated Press reports that sixty leading Italian athletes are appealing to Premier Mario Monti to support Rome’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games ahead of the February 15 deadline.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) requires bid cities to provide government financial guarantees and detailed bid plans by February 15.
Monti has so far been non-committal about supporting the bid due to Italy’s economic crisis.
According to The Associated Press, the appeal is to be published Wednesday in eight newspapers.
Athletes appealing to the Premier include soccer star Francesco Totti, Olympic canoer Antonio Rossi and Alpine skier Deborah Compagnoni.
