Rome wants to host a World Cup cross country skiing race in the famous Circo Massimo from 2011 using artificial snow.

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"I am already emotional thinking about being there," former world champion Renato Pasini.

"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.