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City Guide - Rome - Sport | ||
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Sport Spectator sports claim infinitely more enthusiasm than participatory sports. Romans follow their football clubs' efforts diligently in the Corriere dello Sport newspaper. The sporting season kicks off with the Marathon (in March), and then provides a welcome opportunity to show off new hats and outfits at the Concorso Ippico Internazionale di Piazza di Siena - International Show Jumping (late April to early May). Rome has two main football clubs: the traditionally left-wing AS Roma and right-wing Lazio. Both perform at the Stadio Olimpico (tel: (06) 323 7333), the 85,000-seat stadium which hosted the 1990 World Cup Final. Golf: Golf is considered to be quite an uppercrust game in Rome. Most clubs will receive non-members on production of a membership card from their native country showing their handicap. Fees are usually based on a day's play. Country Club Castelgandolfo, Via Santa Spirito 13 (tel: (06) 931 2301), is located just outside Rome, within a volcanic crater. Rates rise from L70,000 on weekdays to L90,000 at weekends. Gyms and squash: Setting foot in a Roman gym can be overwhelming, if not equipped with the right gym wear (expensive) and body (tanned and toned). Those brave enough could try the Roman Sports Centre, Villa Borghese, Viale del Galoppatoio 33 (tel: (06) 320 1667). Rome's largest health centre and open to non-members for L50,000 per day, it incorporates two gyms, squash courts, two Olympic-size swimming pools, aerobic courses, sun beds and saunas. Swimming: La Piscina delle Rose, Viale America 20 (tel: (06) 5425 2185) is large, open-air, and much in favour with the locals. L18,000 is a passport to a day's relaxation; an afternoon's stay costs L7000; and L120,000 purchases a ten-day ticket. Many of the major chain hotels allow non-residents to splash around in their swimming pools: these include the Cavalieri Hilton, Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, Monte Mario (tel: (06) 3509 2950) and the Holiday Inn, Via Aurelia Antica 415 (tel: (06) 6642), but rates are higher. Tennis: Tennis club Circolo della Stampa, Piazza Mancini (tel: (06) 323 2452), is owned by a group of journalists and welcomes non-members. |