Rome, 1 October (AKI) - Local politicians and business leaders have welcomed Rome Chamber of Commerce president Andrea Mondello's recent proposal to hold the 2020 Olympics in the Italian capital.

"A world-class event can be organised to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Rome as capital of Italy by hosting the 2020 Olympics in our city," said Mondello.

"It is a proposal that I direct to the city with great humility, but at the same time with the confidence of someone that has spearheaded the city's economic growth these past years," he said.

A representative of Rome's mayor Gianni Alemanno also supported the proposal.

"One of my dreams would be to see Rome host the 2020 Olympic and the city council could start thinking about it by developing adequate sport-related policies," Alessandro Cochi told Adnkronos.

The president of the province of Rome, Nicola Zingaretti, also backed the proposal.

"This is undoubtedly a great opportunity, not only for our city, but for the whole country," Zingaretti said.

Italian MP Francesco Rutelli, who heads the Italian lower house of parliament's national security committee, said the project was "an intelligent proposal".

The regional director of one of Italy's leading business associations, Confeserscenti, also backed the move. Valter Giammaria said an Olympic bid by Rome would "relaunch the city...in a time of severe crisis."

In September 1997, Rome made the shortlist with its bids to host the 2004 Summer Olympics, along with Buenos Aires, Stockholm, Cape Town and Athens.

The Greek capital's bid won, with 66 votes, while Rome was the runner-up with 41 votes.

Rome last hosted the Olympics in 1960.