November 4, 2009 (Rome, Italy) – Rome wants to host a World Cup cross country skiing race in the famous Circo Massimo from 2011 using artificial snow according to a report by Reuters. “I am already emotional thinking about being there,” former world champion Renato Pasini told reporters. “The important thing is that the snow is clean and compact.” A final decision is due shortly. Milan also wants to host a cross country ski race in its main central park having held a World Cup event inside a velodrome in 1997. For more on this story click here.

The Circo Massimo, or Massive Circus is an “oval basin, nearly 600 meters long, is almost entirely filled in with dirt. It was once a race track. It was made in the time of the Etruscan kings (presumably Tarquinio Prisco). Augustus adorned the brick structure with an imperial stage, which was rebuilt by Trajan, enlarged by Caracalla and restored by Constantine. During the reign of Constantine, the Circus could hold more than 200,000 spectators. Today only the outline remains (the area it occupied is now a public garden). For more on the Circo Massimo click here