Italy to choose between Rome and Milan for 2016 bid

MILAN, Mar 28 (Reuters) Italy will bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games and will choose within four months whether Rome or Milan will be the candidate city.

''We will decide between June and July whether Rome or Milan will be the Italian candidate city for the 2016 Olympics,'' said national Olympic committee president Gianni Petrucci.

''In any case, as a country, we have the same chance as anyone else. Italy is strong in sport and the recent Winter Games in Turin, on an organisational level, were the best ever,'' said Petrucci in comments reported by Gazzetta dello Sport's website.

The next Olympic Games will be held in Beijing in 2008 while the 2012 Olympics are to be hosted by London.

Italy's capital Rome hosted the 1960 Summer Games and bid for the 2004 Olympics which were held in Athens.

Reuters DH DB2057