Rome 2024 unveil educational initiative as city's Mayor resigns

Ignazio Marino has resigned as Rome's mayor ©AFP/Getty Images

A new educational initiative has been unveiled by Rome's 2024 Olympics and Paralympics bid on the same day that the city's much maligned Mayor Ignazio Marino resigned due to an expenses scandal.

Marino, a controversial figure at the forefront of several allegations of malpractice, had denied wrongdoing, yet he still offered to pay back a €20,000 (£14,000/$22,000) bill for a City Hall credit card which he had supposedly used to pay for family dinners.

He eventually handed in his resignation after losing the support of his own Democratic Party.

The official, who took over in 2013 as the city was locked in the midst of a series of financial problems, has faced a multitude of scandals, including one involving parking fines and another over an opulant funeral for an alleged crime boss.

He has also been criticised by Pope Francis, who dismissed him as someone who "pretends to be Catholic".

Problems within the city, which has now been bailed out by the Central Government every year since 2008 and has debt which is not expected to be paid off until 2048, are a major challenge for the Italian capital's fledgling bid.

Similar economic problems caused former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to pull the plug on Rome's bid for the 2020 Games in 2012, something which has not been forgotten within the Olympic Movement.

"The Rome 2024 Committee has, from the outset, enjoyed deep support from across the political spectrum and at all levels of national, regional and local Government," a spokesperson told insidethegames this evening.

"The decision of the Rome City council to vote 38 to 6 in favour of the bid in June was testament to this.

"We want to thank Ignazio Marino for representing this support at home and abroad, and look forward to the new Mayor joining the Rome City Council, the Lazio Regional Authority, Prime Minister Renzi and President Mattarella in working to make the dream of Rome 2024 a reality."

Luca di Montezemolo (third right on top row) with athletes and officials from across Italy ©Rome 2024

Bid authorities insist their attempt to land the city's first Games since 1960 can be successful despite these challenges.

A new initiative set to benefit 460,000 Italian children is one way to show the seriousness of their bid, officials will be hoping.

The scheme, unveiled by Rome 2024 President Luca di Montezemolo and Regional Education Office director Gildo De Angelis, is designed to help educate youngsters about so called Olympic values.

They are aiming to help boost opportunites for young people to play sport from early school age, while also promoting healthy lifestyles and nutrition, as well as diversity, social inclusion, promoting gender equality and educating against all forms of bullying and violence.

Building, from primary school age up, conscious new generations and to prevent, in this way, violence, bullying and racial and gender discrimination is another aim, as is organising meetings with teachers on issues related to the Olympics.

A joint working group made up of three representatives of the Education Office and the Bid Committee is to be formed, cooperating with other bodies including the Italian National Olympic Committee.

A decision as to who will host the 2024 Games is due to be made at the 2017 International Olympic Committee Session in Lima, with Rome facing opposition from Budapest, Hamburg, Los Angeles and Paris.

If Rome is ultimately chosen, the programme, which also involves the supply of multimedia kits and the organisation of competitions and workshops, is expected to be extended to a national level.