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ROME -- New IOC president Thomas Bach is pleased with the Italian governments support for a 2024 Summer Olympics bid and said its "time for the United States to present a strong bid." Bach is in Rome for the European Olympic Committees general assembly and meetings with Pope Francis. He also visited with Italian Premier Enrico Letta. "The prime minister appeared to be interested in a bid from Italy for 24, because he has realized that the games can serve as a catalyst for development for a city and a country," Bach told The Associated Press on Saturday. While Rome has not yet been officially selected, the capital -- which hosted the 1960 Games -- likely would be Italys candidate. Other potential 2024 bids could come from Paris; Doha, Qatar; and cities in Africa and the United States. "I think its time for the United States to present a strong bid," Bach said. "And Im happy to hear that the USOC is undertaking everything to prepare such a bid." Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington are among the cities that could present a U.S. bid. USOC chairman Larry Probst attended the EOC meeting in Rome as the Americans attempt to boost their presence and influence in Olympic circles. Probst was chosen an IOC member in September. The USOC, which brings more money than anyone to the Olympic movement in the form of sponsorship and TV revenue, hasnt hosted an Olympics since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. The countrys last Summer Olympics were in Atlanta in 1996. Italys last Olympics were the 2006 Winter Games in Turin. Rome was the first city to declare its candidacy for the 2020 Games, but then-Premier Mario Monti refused to provide government financial backing and the bid was dropped. However, Letta voiced strong support for a 2024 bid in a speech at an Italian Olympic Committee meeting 10 days ago and again after meeting seeing Bach. "The Italian bid could become something definitive," Letta said after meeting with Bach on Friday. "Its not just a simple possibility." Bach also visited the pope both individually on Friday and again Saturday with a large delegation from the Olympic assembly. With numerous other high-profile IOC members also in Rome -- such as Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the influential Kuwaiti who heads the Association of National Olympic Committees -- Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago called the two-day assembly "satisfying from every point of view." "I really think we showed strong signs of credibility," Malago said. "For them to be here and touch things that we take for granted with their own hands was very special." While Italys financial situation has not improved since Montis rejection, with the countrys economy still in recession, senior Italian IOC member Mario Pescante said the Olympics would spur a turnaround. "Our country needs this," Pescante told the AP. "The principal problem for our country is to convince a defeatist public opinion -- and rightly so defeatist -- considering the way we react to any big event, whether its an earthquake or what not." Fears of rampant corruption play a big role. "People need to stop saying We cant do it, added Pescante, who stepped in as a special commissioner for the Turin Games. "If we continue not to build anything because were afraid of the Mafia, the country will commit suicide. ... We need to offer a strong signal that this story is finished, that were not a population of thieves. This is the biggest challenge and an Olympics could overcome that." Meanwhile, 10 weeks after his election, Bach is also pressing forward with his campaign to reform the bidding process -- starting with the detailed dossiers that bidders complete at the outset. "From most of them (its) always the same answer because they all answer the way they think we want to hear," Bach said. "I would like to invite the potential bidding cities to tell us how they think that the Olympic Games would fit best in their social and natural environment. It depends on diversity and creativity for them to say how they see it." Earlier this month, voters in Bachs home country of Germany rejected a proposed Munich bid for the 2022 Winter Games, citing financial and environmental concerns. For British Olympic Association chairman and 2012 London Games organizer Sebastian Coe, the two keys for the bidding process are making sure as many cities as possible want to join and engaging with the local communities. "The most demanding stakeholder that you have are the people that youre delivering these games for," Coe said. "Once youve focused on the needs of the athletes, the next most important group are the people in those communities that you are delivering the games for." Buy Salomon Shoes Canada . 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Although Spain could still advance out of the group stage, the game may have signalled the end of the run by a generation of Spanish stars whose quick passing, "tiki-taka" style delighted the world and helped them win the last three major tournaments.MIAMI - Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs in seven innings, Bryce Harper had three hits, and the Washington Nationals kept up their push for home-field advantage in the NL playoffs by beating the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Thursday night. Kevin Frandsen and Anthony Rendon each had two hits for Washington (88-64), which opened the night 1-1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for the NLs best record. A Miami native, Gonzalez (9-10) allowed six hits, striking out five and walking none. Jeff Baker drove in one run and scored another for the Marlins (74-78), who opened their final homestand of the season. Miami needs seven wins in its last 10 games to finish with a non-losing record for the first time since 2009. Brad Hand (3-8) gave up five earned runs and eight hits in five innings for Miami. Washingtons streak of 22 road games with a home run was snapped. It was the second-longest streak in the majors since 1900; only the Baltimore Orioles in 1996 had a longer run, hitting at least one in 24 consecutive road games. The Nationals hit 41 homers in their streak. They didnt need one Thursday, taking control with a five-run fourth — doing all that scoring with two outs. Wilson Ramos double started the flurry by driving home Anthony Rendon to tie the game, and the Nationals were on theeir way.dddddddddddd Frandsen had Washingtons sixth and final hit of the inning, with Harper scoring on the play and Cabrera also crossing the plate after Reed Johnsons throwing error. Johnson had an RBI double in the second for Miami, snapping a season-high streak of 26 2-3 scoreless innings by Washington starting pitchers. TRAINERS ROOM Nationals: 3B Ryan Zimmerman went 1 for 7 as the DH in a simulated game at the Nationals training facility in Viera, Florida. Zimmerman has played in only 53 games with Washington this season, first because of a broken right thumb and most recently because of right hamstring trouble. Marlins: RHP Jose Fernandez, out for the season because of elbow reconstruction surgery, might begin a light throwing regimen on Oct. 1. The Marlins are hoping to have their ace back by the All-Star break next season. Also, RF Giancarlo Stanton, out for the season because of injuries sustained last week when he was hit in the face by a pitch, rejoined his teammates and said his recovery is going well. UP NEXT Nationals: RHP Doug Fister (14-6, 2.55) gets the ball Friday night in Miami, looking to set a career-best for victories in a season. Marlins: RHP Tom Koehler (9-9, 3.71) starts against Washington on Friday. Koehler has a 2.49 ERA in 14 starts against the NL East this year. ' ' '