ROME (AP) New IOC President Thomas Bach is pleased with the Italian government's support for a possible 2024 Olympics bid, and says it's "time for the United States to present a strong bid" too.
In Rome for Olympic meetings and to see Pope Francis, Bach also visited Italian PremierEnrico Letta.
Bach tells The Associated Press that Letta "has realized that the games can serve as a catalyst for development."
While Rome has not yet been selected, the capital is Italy's likely candidate.
Other potential 2024 bids could come from Paris; Doha, Qatar; and cities in the United States and Africa.
Bach says, "I think it's time for the United States to present a strong bid, and I'm happy to hear that the USOC is undertaking everything to prepare such a bid."
