(AGI) Rome, July 2 - The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI)unanimously approved Rome's candidacy for the 2024 Olympics onThursday. The voting took place at the Expo in Milan, with all64 votes of the CONI Council in favour. "The sports world isunited in supporting Rome's candidacy," CONI President GiovanniMalago' stated. Italian businessman Luca Cordero diMontezemolo, who presided over the committee formed to promoteRome's candidacy, spoke to the council, noting the "centralrole played by athletes and sports" as the key element behindRome's candidacy. "Let us not forget that this should be agrand and marvelous celebration of sports. Let us leave therest aside," di Montezemolo said. "A celebration of sportsbringing the greatest international champions to Rome and Italywould be a wonderful event that would allow athletes who arecurrently 10-12 years old to participate and try to win medalsin front of the Italian public. We must all work towards thiswith competence, passion, and enthusiasm, but also withtransparency and creativity," he added. "The CONI Councilcompleted the first, decisive step in Rome's 2024 candidacytoday here in Milan. It is an important signal, because itcomes from the world of sports for an event that is above all ahuge celebration of sports and their athletes. I was immenselypleased with the support and encouragement that the presidentsof all the sports federations conveyed to me today. It is ashot of confidence for all of us who have been working on thisproject. It follows the equally decisive and complete supportexpressed by the Italian President, Prime Minister Renzi'sadministration, the universities of Rome, environmentalassociations, and Rome's administrative assembly," he stated."The fact that this signal came from Milan is of great import,because the Rome 2024 Olympics would be not only the capital's,but also Italy's. In fact, we are selecting a number of othercities that could be involved in the chance for growth andimportant investments that the Olympics entail. Furthermore, weenvisage the Olympics not only as a great sports festival, butalso an event of beauty, culture, technology, andsustainability," he concluded. (AGI).