Two-times Olympic champion Bianchedi steps in to replace Bugno as Rome 2024 secretary general

Diana Bianchedi has been named as the secretary general of Rome 2024 ©CONI

Two-times Olympic fencing champion Diana Bianchedi has been appointed secretary general of Rome 2024 following the surprise departure of Claudia Bugno, it has been announced.

Bianchedi, winner of the gold medal in the women’s team foil event at Barcelona 1992 and Sydney 2000, will start in the role immediately and will be tasked with coordinating the Italian capital’s Olympic bid along with President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

The 46-year-old is well-known within the Italian National Olympic Committee having been the deputy vice-chairman, chairman of the Athletes' Commission, an executive member of the Anti-Doping Scientific Committee and the President of the Merit Commission.

She steps into the position as a replacement for Bugno,only appointed in March but is now leaving to take up an unspecified management job.

An announcement on Bugno’s next role is expected within the next couple of days, a Rome 2024 spokesperson told insidethegames, who also insisted her leaving the Bid Committee would not disrupt their attempt at bringing the Olympics back to the Italian capital for the first time since 1960.

“There is still a long way to go in the bid process and Diana is raring to go,” the spokesperson said.

“She is well-known within the Olympic circle in Italy and it is good that we will have a well-respected athlete at the heart of our bid.”

Rome 2024 President Luca di Montezemolo says he is looking forward to working with new secretary general Diana Bianchedi, who has been appointed following the decision of Claudia Bugno to step down ©Getty Images

Bianchedi will be a key member of the Rome 2024 team and Di Montezemolo is looking forward to working alongside the five-times world champion.

“I wish to thank Claudia for her hard work,” Di Montezemolo said.

“Her experience has been important in laying the groundwork of the Olympic bid and to generate a solid and sustainable plan.

“Diana Bianchedi will now take us into an exciting new phase for the bid.

“As well as being an undisputed champion, Diana is an experienced and capable manager.

“Her proven knowledge of the world of sport will be an important added value to Rome 2024, a project that focuses on the athletes.”

The announcement comes after the Mayor of the Italian capital was finally forced out of office following more than half of the city’s Councillors stepped down in response to him backtracking on a pledge to resign.

Ignazio Marino, a controversial figure at the forefront of several allegations of corruption, resigned last month due to an expenses scandal.

The fear is that whoever replaces him will not be so supportive of Rome's campaign to host the Olympics and Paralympics, especially as the city is currently facing severe financial problems.

Rome is one of five cities vying to stage the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games alongside fellow European contenders Budapest, Hamburg and Paris and American city Los Angeles.

The International Olympic Committee is due to elect its chosen host at its Session in Peruvian capital Lima in 2017.