Rome 2024 Logo Unveiled at High Energy Ceremony

(ATR) Italian sport leaders Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and Giovanni Malago led proceedings at a colorful, fast-paced ceremony to unveil the Rome 2024 logo.

More than 2,500 Rome school children, Italian Olympians past and present, and officials from CONI and Rome 2024 were present as the design was seen for the first time on a jumbo screen at the Palazzetto Dello Sport Arena.

Montezemolo, the president of Rome 2024 and former Ferrari chairman, spoke of the Italian capital’s strengths in his address to the predominantly young audience.

"The city of Rome wants to realize the most beautiful Olympics of the century," Montezemolo said with passion. "We have everythingwe need to do it – culture, beauty, technology and the enthusiasm of our young people.

"We have to take advantage of this great opportunity in front of the world.

"And today we have sent a strong message to the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne and to our competitors; Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest."

The logo design depicts Rome’s Coliseum adorned in Italy’s traditional green, white and red colors. It features the iconic landmark fading into a running track in the three colors.

Asked what he personally liked about the new Rome 2024 Candidate City logo, Malago offered a colorful response.

"I think it’s not correct, not elegant to ask the owner of the restaurant or the cook if the food is good inside the restaurant, but I hope all of you appreciate that it’s a symbol of the Eternal City, a symbol unique in the world," Malago told Around the Rings shortly after the ceremony concluded.

"It’s a unique brand and we are very, very proud of it."

Malago, who became president of the Italian NOC in Feb. 2013, emphasized the significance of the logo launch and accompanying pageantry.

"This is a very important day – you have seen, heard and touched the atmosphere," Malago said. "This is a fundamental step, but from now until 13th September of 2017 there are many, many additional steps - we need, we want, we desire to involve more than ever all the Roman citizens.

"At the same time, this is not just a candidature of the city, but of the whole country."

Speeches and athlete interviews were interspersed with acrobatics, gymnastics and sport dance performances at the venue where basketball was played during the 1960 Rome Olympics. The 90-minute event was shown live by Sky Sports in Italy.

The entertaining show was a leap forward towards creating a buzz for the Rome 2024 Olympic bid. Students cheered, performed the wave and wore t-shirts with the newly unveiled logo on the front and the words #WEWANT Rome 2024 on the back.

Two-time Italian Olympic long jumper Fiona May spoke about the Italian bid and what those involved need to do to achieve the desired result.

"I’m very proud to be part of the team and to push it along," said the former athlete who now works with CONI.

"We need to push the Italian style – Rome is always very fashionable as we’ve seen in Spectre with the famous car chase – that’s Rome," May said referring to the latest James Bond Film. "We just need to push and improve because we have so many champions in so many disciplines and we should give them an opportunity to compete here."

Montezemolo emphasized Rome 2024’s dedication and commitment to winning the bid.

"We want the Games and we will work day and night altogether to obtain them.

"Our goal is to realize a great celebration of sports and to place the athletes at the center of all our plans.

"But we also want to leave to the city great things to improve its citizens' quality of life. In 2024, if successful, we will host the Olympics and then in 2025 Rome will host the jubilee - for two years the eyes of the world will be on Rome and Italy."

Montezemolo also announced that Rome just won the right to host the 2022 Ryder Cup, marking the first time in history that Italy will host the premier golf competition.

The traditional USA vs. Europe golf showdown will be contested at Rome’s Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, on a course which would likely also host the Olympic golf tournament should the Italian capital win the 2024 bid.

Rome seeks a second Summer Olympic Games competing against Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest, Hungary. The IOC will select the host city in Lima, Peru in September 2017.

Written and reported in Rome by Brian Pinelli

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