Renzi opens Casa Italia at Rio Olimpics

(ANSA) - Rome, August 4 - 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.