“The Olympic spirit is very important, but we want to win” said Prime Minister Matteo Renzi shaking hands with IOC number one  Thomas Bach. With the Prime Minister, the leaders of the Rome 2024 bid Committee, President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice President Luca Pancalli, coordinator general Diana Bianchedi, Fiona May in charge of athlete relations, along with CONI president Giovanni Malagò and the Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini. Members of the Italian IOC, Mario Pescante, Ottavio Cinquanta, Franco Carraro, and Asoif President Francesco Ricci Bitti were also present.

“This is the right moment for Rome. The government is here, we will do our best until 2017. An event like the Olympics is a great opportunity. The projects are ready, the government is working together with CONI because sport is a piece of the Italian culture and an investment for the future” said Prime Minister that was “very excited” for the visit at the heart of the Olympic movement. “Rome is a very strong candidature – he added -. Respect for everyone but fear of no one”.

“We have seen the presentation of a very strong bid candidature which is addressing all the Olympic Agenda 2020 with a great combination of tradition and innovation by making use of many existing facilities and leaving a great legacy for the Romans and for the Italians. We have strong commitment by the President of the Council of Ministers and the whole government who with all his dynamism and commitment made the point here for the candidature of Roma so we are very pleased with this meeting and we wish the candidature of Rome all the very best in this journey until the election of the host city next year” concluded Bach.  

 “Italy has an incredible sporting tradition”, said Rome 2024 bid President Luca di Montezemolo. “Think of the leaders of the Olympic Committee like Giulio Onesti, think of the Olympic Games in 1960 that have been the first Olympics of the modern era. We are confident but the competition is still long. The bid Committee is working hard, with great unity of purpose and with the help and support of everyone, "he said, pausing then on the details of the candidature file which will be officially presented on February 17 at the IOC headquarters. According to Montezemolo, "the Flavian Amphitheatre, will be the site of the medal plaza. There will be events in Caracalla, at the beach volleyball court. The entire city with its archaeological sites will live the Olympics”. The candidature file will be presented to the IOC on February 17th, with the three areas and 70% of existing venues ready”.

 The CONI  President  Malagò highlighted the strong sporting component of the Rome 2024 team, “Bianchedi, May, Mornati, Pancalli”. “It was a wonderful meeting, in a great atmosphere, we talked about what we are building. It was very important that the government confirmed its commitment”.

 “Renzi was extraordinary not only for supporting the bid but also for the way he conducted the meeting," explained vice-president Luca Pancalli enthusiastic. "We came in with a smile and go out smiling even more, knowing that we must continue to work hard and cultivate the desire to win”.

 “The meeting went very well,” said the Rome 2024 coordinator general Diana Bianchedi. "Renzi and Bach covered the technical aspects, but what emerged from this meeting is really the great energy and positive spirit in the group”.