Rome bids for 2012 Games

The Colosseum is part of Rome's special appeal

Rome bid for the 2012 Summer Games on Wednesday but told the International Olympic Committee it was prepared to step aside in favour of New York if all the other candidates agreed.

In the wake of the suicide plane attacks in America there has been mounting support for a New York bid.

San Francisco, Washington, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Houston, Dallas, Tampa and New York have all submitted bids to the United States Olympic Committee.

I believe it would be a good time for the world to gather in New York

IOC member Ottavia Cinquanta

The USOC will make its choice in October 2002, while the IOC selects the host city in 2005.

"We are preparing a bid because Rome believes it can offer something special," said Italian IOC member Ottavia Cinquanta.

But he added: "If all agree to step down in favour of New York, we will [also] agree.

"We believe it would be right to honour New York after the tragedy in this way.

"By 2012 there would be enough time for the city to recover and I believe it would be a good time for the world to gather in New York."

Hats in the ring

Moscow, Madrid and Rome have already indicated their bidding intentions to the IOC.

Toronto, Paris and Istanbul, who lost to Beijing in the race to stage the 2008 Games, are still considering whether to bid.

Germany and Hungary are also thinking of putting their hats in the ring.

Rome mayor Walter Veltironi headed the bidding delegation that met newly elected IOC president Jacques Rogge.

The Italian also bid for the 2004 Games, but lost out to Athens.