But Francesco Totti, captain of Lazio's crosstown rival AS Roma, said "personal commitments" prevented him from carrying the torch alongside Di Canio. "It would have been a very great honor for me to have carried the Olympic flame, universal symbol of sports and peace," Totti said on his Web site.
Di Canio talked about sportsmanship in his remarks to the few hundred spectators who turned out for the flame relay and a music concert.
"We're kicking off an important Olympics in which many men and women will compete with loyal rivalry. I know this is not always the case in soccer and that's why I'm proud to be here," Di Canio said.
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