New IOC president Thomas Bach is pleased with the Italian government's support for a 2024 Summer Olympics bid, and he also said Saturday that it's "time for the United States to present a strong bid."
Bach is in Rome for the European Olympic Committees general assembly and meetings with Pope Francis, and also visited with Italian Premier Enrico Letta.
"The prime minister appeared to be interested in a bid from Italy for '24, because he has realised that the games can serve as a catalyst for development for a city and a country," Bach told The Associated Press on Saturday.
While Rome has not yet been officially selected, the capital - which hosted the 1960 Games - would be Italy's likely candidate.
Other potential 2024 bids could come from Paris; Doha, Qatar; and cities in Africa and the United States.
"I think it's time for the United States to present a strong bid," Bach said. "And I'm happy to hear that the USOC is undertaking everything to prepare such a bid."
Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington are among the cities that could form a US bid.
USOC chairman Larry Probst attended the EOC meeting in Rome, as the Americans attempt to boost their presence and influence in Olympic circles.
Probst was named an IOC member in September.
The USOC, which brings more money than anyone to the Olympic movement in the form of sponsorship and TV revenue, hasn't hosted an Olympics since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. The country's last Summer Olympics were in Atlanta in 1996.
Italy's last Olympics were the 2006 Winter Games in Turin.
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