Hosting the 2024 Olympics offers Rome the opportunity to transform the quality of life for the city’s residents, according to the President of Rome’s bid, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.
In a statement issued after Rome’s City Council voted 38-6 in favour of the bid on Thursday, Mr Montezemolo called for "unity of purpose" if the Italian capital is to win the race to stage the 2024 Games.
Mr Montezemolo said: "It's good that the vast majority of the Capitoline Assembly pronounced in favour of the candidacy. I am very sorry for the few that voted against, because they have shown to have no care for the future of the city, putting the political tactics of today first.
"I am also pleased that after the important words of the President of the Republic, we have seen the determined efforts of the Government and the very responsible attitude of environmental groups, universities and business associations.
"This challenge needs to go forward with great unity of purpose.
"It's a terrific opportunity for Rome to improve the quality of life of its citizens, as happened with the Olympics in Sydney, Barcelona and three years ago in London, where entire neighborhoods were revived.
"Rome and Italy hosted the last Summer Olympics in 1960, a Games everyone remembers as the first Olympics of the modern era.
"Today we start with the same spirit, convinced that an Olympics in Rome will be a great sports festival but also a celebration of beauty, culture and technology."
Mr Montezemolo and Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago campaigned for the candidacy at Rome’s City Hall earlier this week.
"Today sport prevailed over politics," Mr Malago said. "Today's achievement is just the first step in a long journey which will continue over the next two years and which we must make together, in unity. This is the only way to achieve our goals."
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