Rome to launch international competition to design rain cover for Centrale at Foro Italico.

The sunken amphitheatre or "Centrale" at Rome's Foro Italico sporting complex is to be equipped with a moveable cover in the case of rain during sporting events, announced mayor Virginia Raggi.

Rome is to launch an international competition to design a rain cover, as part of a redevelopment of the Foro Italico, taking into account the venue's "original characteristics and guaranteeing a high architectural quality", according to Raggi.

The fascist-era sports facility, which also hosts concerts, is best known for being the home of the Rome Masters tennis tournament each May.