(ANSA) - Rome, May 22 - Italy's bid for the 2024 Olympics "is very dear to us" and "we support it with great force," Italian President Sergio Mattarella told International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in Rome Friday. Bach invited Mattarella to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and Mattarella said: "I'll do what I can to organise a trip there". After their encounter Bach went to the HQ of Italy's 2024 bid committee. Bach said Italy's bid was strong "because of the history of the country, both in general and sporting," and wished the bid well.
Olympic 2024 bid 'dear to us' Mattarella tells Bach
'We support it with great force,' president tells IOC chief