All 64 members of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) endorsed Rome’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games Thursday in Milan, in what bid president Luca di Montezemolo described as an important signal of support.
This expected glowing vote of approval makes Italy’s nomination and bid official ahead of the September 15 International Olympic Committee (IOC) deadline.
The former Ferrari President Di Montezemolo issued a statement saying, “this was not only a formal step, but also an important signal of support from across the world of Italian sport for an event that is, at heart, a celebration of sport and its athletes.
“It was very pleasing to receive the full backing and encouragement of the federation presidents at CONI today. The fact that this message of support was delivered in Milan is also of great significance because the Rome Games will not simply be an Olympics of the capital, but the Olympics of all Italy.”
He added, “venues will not be restricted to the city limits, but spread across the nation. We want these Games to be an opportunity for growth and investment for the whole country – a sporting festival that will represent a triumph of beauty, culture, technology and sustainability”.
Rome bid for the 2020 Games before being forced to withdraw when the Italian Prime Minister refused to underwrite the cost of the Games with a guarantee in the midst of an economic downturn.
Paris, Hamburg and Boston have also finalized plans to enter the race while Budapest and Baku are expected to join in the coming week.
The IOC will choose a winner in 2017.
