Rome's rival, Venice, was eliminated from contention before the final vote, with after an Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) evaluation committee ruling the bid insufficient.

With the vote simply a formality, Rome won 68 to 1.

"You've always got to start with your feet firmly on the ground, but this is a strong bid," CONI president Giovanni Petrucci said.

"This time we've got a good chance.

"It's going to be difficult, but not impossible."

The Italian capital has proposed a budget of $61 million, with a bid that includes 70 per cent of already existing venues.

The bid is centred around two central areas, the Foro Italico that was the centre of the 1960 Games and features the 80,000-seat Stadio Olimpico, and a new sports centre in Tor Vergata on the outskirts of Rome, which is currently under construction.

The Tor Vergata centre was originally scheduled to host last year's swimming World Championships, but it was not completed in time and the championships were held at the Foro Italico instead.

Venice bid director Federico Fantini called CONI's decision a "political choice."

"We're going out with our heads held high," Fantini said.

"We know we did everything we could have and we believe Venice would have been an ideal partner for CONI.

"But now we wish that Rome goes as far as possible."


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