IOC Welcomes Rome 2024 Again

(ATR) A mixture of government officials and Rome 2024 leaders will travel to Lausanne for Rome 2024’s second meeting with the IOC on July 16.

A spokesperson from CONI described the first visit to Around the Rings as one for "political" leaders of the bid, while the July meeting is for "economic" leaders of the bid.

The meetings are part of the invitational phase for Olympic bidders, which allow national Olympic committees and bid teams to consult with IOC leadership before submitting a letter of intent.

Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president Giovanni Malago and Rome 2024 bid president Luca di Montezemolo are not part of the delegation, as they were present during the first meeting in February.

Mayor of Rome Ignazio Marino, general director of the Rome 2024 committee Claudia Bugno, and secretary to the prime minister Claudio De Vincenti will give presentations to the IOC before receiving feedback.

The rest of the delegation is comprised of general secretary of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Roberto Fabbricini; advisor to the minister of economy, Giuseppe Fortunato; and Rome city councilor for heritage Alessandra Cattoi, along with city officials from the Rome city council, the Rome Chamber of Commerce, and the Lazio regional government.

"The Italian Government's decision to participate in this technical meeting in Lausanne is an important sign for the candidacy of Rome," Luca di Montezemolo, Rome 2024 bid president, said in a statement.

"The government has officially taken to the field and joined representatives of CONI, the city of Rome, the regional authority of Lazio and many other private business and civil groups in backing Rome’s bid. We are delighted to have such depth and breadth of support at this early stage in the process."

Hollande: "Paris Today is France"

French leaders held a reception on Bastille Day to launch the city’s candidature for the 2024 Olympics.

Francois Hollande, president of France, gave a keynote address in support of the Bid while Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris 2024 chairman Bernard Lapasset and French rower and IOC member Tony Estanguet spoke in favor of the bid. Olympic and Paralympic champions were also present at the reception.

"An application is an expression that we are not a candidate for ourselves, but candidates for the world," Hollande said in his remarks.

"France is not here just to win the Games. It is there to make the Games in Paris a success for the planet because the values, principles, ideals and Olympic spirit are the values we share.

"Paris today is France, and we are all united, all together for Paris."

Paris' last bid was for the 2012 Olympics, losing out to London in the final round. The city last hosted an Olympics in 1924, and the 2024 games would serve as a centenary of those Games.

"You have there, Mr. President, all represented federations and athletes mobilized to show how the diversity of French sport is united around this great project," Tony Estanguet said.

"We are really committed. We are conscious of this responsibility, and I think we have a beautiful day ahead of us to work together."

Paris 2024 Adds Executive

Etienne Thobois has joined Paris 2024 full time.

Francs Jeux reported on July 13 that Thobois has left the sports consulting agency Keneo to take up a full time position at the Olympic bid.

Thobois started Keneo in 2008, and the company helped guide Tokyo to win the 2020 Olympics, along with France to win the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Written by Aaron Bauer

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.