Premier Matteo Renzi opened
Italy's Casa Italia base at the Rio Olympics in a glitzy
ceremony late on Wednesday.
The Brazilian city's famous Christ the Redeemer statue was
lit up in the red, white and green of the Italian flag for the
occasion.
"This is special night for us because we can share the
values of the Games of peace and respect," said Renzi, who will
also attend the Olympics' opening ceremony on Friday.
"When I was a student they said that wars stopped during
the Games.
"It's no longer like that. A moment of fraternity is
needed.
"We must not lose our identity and sport is a part of
that".
Among the aims of Renzi's presence in Rio is to promote
Rome's bid to host the 2024 Olympics. There are doubts about the
bid due to the opposition of Rome's new Mayor Virginia Raggi.
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