POSTED: 2012-02-14 06:02:14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
TAMPA: Italian Premier Mario Monti has officially declared that he will not sign government guarantees for the Rome 2020 Olympic bid.
IOC vice-president and head of the Rome 2020 bid, Mario Pescante, who was extremely disappointed at the news said, “Rome has lost a big opportunity, but we can’t do anything else but accept the government’s decision: there is a lot of bitterness.
“The decision by the government was considered at length, and was concluded exclusively for economic reasons. Our project for Rome 2020 was very serious, but the government was unmovable about the budget. Pity, it was a unique opportunity also to say to our young people that we have important ambitions.”
Pescante already warned that if the government didn’t back the bid there would be repercussions and already according to ANSA news agency the opposition is asking for the resignation of the Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, who shot back “Absolutely not, I’m sorry to disappoint the opponents” as he left Palazzo Chigi following the government’s rejection.
Terrence Burns, President of Helios Partners, said on his Twitter page about today’s decision: “Rome 2020’s experience is a cautionary tale for the Olympic Movement. Hope someone’s listening. Good luck to the remaining cities.”
Bob Fasulo, in charge of International relations for Rome 2020, Tweeted, “Tough day at the office here in Eternal City. Says a lot about times we live in but big Q is, what does it say about future of OM?”
Developing story
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