TOTTI, PELLEGRINI MAKE PLEA FOR ROME OLYMPICS

TOTTI, PELLEGRINI MAKE PLEA FOR ROME OLYMPICS

(ANSA) - Rome, February 7 - Soccer star Francesco Totti and Olympic swimmer Federica Pellegrini were among 60 top Italian athletes who asked Premier Mario Monti on Tuesday to endorse the country's 2020 Olympic bid.

"Dear Monti, approve the government's commitment to Rome 2020," said the petition.

Bid organizers are campaigning the premier to sign a motion to support the games, the final stamp of approval needed before officially sending off a proposal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by February 15.

Soccer goalie Gianluigi Buffon, motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi and Olympic gymnast Jury Dimitri Chechi were also among those who signed the petition.