"The Government will do its utmost to help the candidature for the 2020 Olympic Games," said Berlusconi.

"It is the first official candidature and this will contribute and provide incentives to the economic development and growth of the city."

Pescante, 72, a former Italian Sports Minister and President of CONI, urged the country to work together.

"We have shown when we are under pressure that we can make things work, but we will need to be united," Pescante said.

"We will have to overcome many difficulties and the financial compatibility report that we will present to Parliament will be an important step."

Italy's Cabinet Undersecretary Gianni Letta was appointed honorary President while the Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno and President of the Italian Olympic Committee CONI Gianni Petrucci will be the two vice-presidents.

President of the Region, Renata Polverini, and Provincial President, Nicola Zingaretti, will play important roles.

IOC member Franco Carraro, will coordinate the Feasibility Committee, which will be chaired by Marco Fortis, professor of industrial economy and foreign trade at the Catholic University of Milan.

Rome last held the Olympics in 1960 and this is their first bid since they were the favourites to host the 2004 Games but were beaten by Athens.

"The bid under President [Raffaele] Ranucci went badly," Pescante said.

"Now we have the chance to make up for that.

"We have to win this bid above all for the future, to give a sign of hope to our country. Rome has an important card to play - its history."

Rome is the first city to put together its bid team but is set to face competition from a number of cities, including Doha, Dubai, Durban, Istanbul and Madrid.

But Pescante has picked out another city as Rome's main rival.

"They will be rivals, not enemies, but will fight strongly," Pescante said.

"Tokyo will be the most dangerous, because its preparations are already under way having bid for 2016."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2011: Pescante to lead Rome 2020 Olympic bid after Ferrari boss turns down job