(ATR) Rome 2024 president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo passionately argues that Italy is the best choice for the 2024 Summer Games.
The charismatic Italian business leader was accompanied by Italian NOC president Giovanni Malago, as part of a delegation of 10 representing the "Eternal City" at this week’s SportAccord Convention in Lausanne.
Representatives from rival bids Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest also sought to establish their presence as the four cities battle for traction in the race for 2024.
Montezemolo, who served as Ferrari CEO for 25 years, outlined key elements behind Rome’s quest to bring the Games back to the Italian capital 64 years since it previously welcomed the world.
"These Games are not just about the magic of Rome, but all of Italy." Montezemolo told Around the Rings on the sidelines of the annual SportAccord Convention.
"There is a strong 360 degrees team support – from the president and prime ministers of the republic, the federations, the sports, the town and our sponsors.
"The entire country is behind us, not just the sports," Montezemolo said.
Montezemolo – who led the organizing committee for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy – stressed that prospective Games in 2024 would be delivered with passion, attention to costs, a clearly defined budget, transparency, a focus on youth and legacy.
He said Italy’s "Art of Welcome" would amaze should Italy win the bid, emphasizing that athletes and visitors will relish the city and nation’s art, culture, food and beauty.
Montezemolo noted that 11 Italian cities will be part of the Olympic soccer tournament and the waters along the shores of Sardinia will be home to sailing events.
"The entire country in one way or another, plus Sardinia, will be involved in these Olympic Games," said the Italian bid leader.
Reminiscing about Ethiopian marathoner Abebe Bikila, who ran through Rome’s streets barefoot on his way to Olympic gold in 1960, Montezemolo spoke of a "Marathon of Peace" in 2024.
The marathon route would take runners through Vatican City, past one of the largest Jewish synagogues in Europe, near an Islamic temple and to the finish through the Arch of Constantine in front of the 2000-year-old Roman Coliseum.
"This marathon will be a strong signal to the world for peace and at this moment it is important to give this message through the Vatican, the Pope, with Islam and the Jewish [faith]," Montezemolo said.
"We have full support of the Vatican in terms of the message of peace," he said.
Olympic Support from Rome’s Next Mayor?
Montezemolo addressed the lingering question whether Rome 2024 is concerned that a future mayor who will fill the current vacancy come May might be anti-Olympics.
"It is difficult – it is totally unpredictable to know who will win," Montezemolo said.
"Whoever will be the new Mayor, it will be difficult to stop this machine at that moment," he said.
"How to do it [the Olympics] will be a strong conversation with the new Mayor, but I don’t see major problems."
Visit From Paris Mayor
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo stopped by the Around the Rings exhibition stand at the SportAccord Convention.
She spent a few minutes talking with ATR founder and editor Ed Hula, publisher Sheila S. Hula and business development director Ed Hula III as part of a tour of the exhibition hall.
Asked how confident she was in the French capital’s 2024 Olympic quest, she said: "It is a good bid. I think we can win. I think this time is a good time. We are here to learn."
Also seen networking on the grounds of SportAccord were representatives from Los Angeles 2024 led by CEO Casey Wasserman and swimming great Janet Evans.
Budapest 2024 has a slightly smaller contingent in Lausanne, however the Budapest 2017 FINA World Championships exhibition dazzled visitors with its sleek-looking, bright and ingenious swimming pool model.
Written by Brian Pinelli in Lausanne, Switzerland.
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