27 August 1999Seville – Spain
– More than 200 media representatives attended a press conference earlier today to
promote the IAAF Rome Millennium Marathon.
The conference was headed by IAAF President Primo Nebiolo, with the participation of
Gianni Gola, the President of the Italian federation, Riccardo Milano, representing the
city of Rome and Roberto Castrucci, the Rome Marathon Director. Each speaker stressed the
symbolic importance of opening the new century with a major sports event – which
would start in St Peter´s Square at 12 noon – and include representatives of every
IAAF federation as well as some of the best marathon runners in the world.
The International Athletic Foundation has destined 300 thousand dollars for the organisation of this race. There will also be a major involvement of the Rome City Council and the personal commitment of Mayor Francesco Rutelli.
This unique race has also been backed enthusiastically by the Vatican, with Monsignor Crescenzo Sepe, the General Secretary of the Year 2000 Jubilee committee, offering his complete co-operation.
"His Holiness the Pope, who is a great lover of sport and of athletes, has paid us the singular honour of giving his full approval of this initiative," said Dr Nebiolo. "Marathon runners are very special. They understand the need to plan carefully, to train hard and have to endure a lot to triumph. In a way, they are the ascetics of our sport. This is also why I am convinced that the marathon is the sporting event which can best be associated with an event which has the spiritual and ecumenical importance of this Jubilee."
