POSTED: January 30th 2012
SpeakingUp
Olympic gymnast Jury Chechi stands up for Rome 2020
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
TAMPA: Italian gold medal gymnast Jury Chechi has sent a reinforcement letter to the Corriere della Sera newspaper speaking up in support for the Rome 2020 Olympic bid.
Over the weekend the Corriere della Sera, a Milanese daily, published an interview with Olympic track champion and politician, Pietro Mennea, whereby he spoke out against the project to host the 2020 Games due to the state of the economy.
Chechi, however states his case:
“I read with great interest and attention the interview with Pietro Mennea published in yesterday’s Corriere della Sera, and referring to whether it would be opportune, or not, for Rome to be a candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games. I won’t spend a lot of time here recalling the great esteem I have - and which we all have: athletes, ex athletes and simple fans – for a sports legend such as Pietro, whose opinion on the subject I deeply respect.
“I would however like to take advantage of this space in the Corriere to say instead that the 2020 Olympics represent a great opportunity not just for Rome, but also for our entire Country and for the Olympic Movement.
“Pietro is right when he talks about the gigantism that now threatens the modern Games. But it is in fact Rome, thanks to a plan that I know in every detail that can at last give life to a truly sustainable Olympics, free of white elephants and more “human”. This is exactly what Mennea says he wants.
“Rome has the chance to start a new era: 75% of venues already exist. We would only need to build two new facilities: the velodrome and the rowing course. This approach has nothing to do with the multi- billions spent by Beijing for sports venues that were then left unused, including the famous Olympic Stadium.
“I am fully aware of the difficulties that Italy is going through and I thoroughly understand our Prime Minister Mario Monti’s prudence. Indeed, I’m proud of it. But I would also add that now is precisely the time to look forward.
“For 2020 we only have a few adversaries and none of them are unbeatable. What’s more, we can count on an important political presence inside the IOC and, it should also be said, we have Rome and the whole of Italy to offer.
“The idea of pushing forward the bid by four years is a theoretical exercise; the conditions and the competition for 2024 could be very different and could make the going much more difficult. I believe I can speak on behalf of many Italian athletes that have, like me, lived through the Games (a unique experience that leaves a permanent mark), and that Olympic spirit that I truly hope could prove contagious for all Italians.
“This is why I say: let’s aim without a doubt for 2020.”
Currently Rome is awaiting government support for the bid with the deadline looming February 15th for the submission of the applicant file to the IOC.
Rome is competing against Baku, Doha, Istanbul, Madrid, and Tokyo to host the 2020 summer Olympic Games. The final decision will be voted at the IOC session in Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 7, 2013.
Keywords · Rome 2020 · Jury Chechi · Pietro Mennea · Mario Monti
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