New York Knicks’ Danilo Gallinari, Mark Sommers, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Angelo Zomegnan and Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata

City officials, cycling aficionados and business leaders gathered in the soaring atrium of the Italian Embassy in Washington Thursday evening to celebrate what they see as a historic opportunity — bringing the 2012 Giro d’Italia to the District.

Since last November, rumors have circulated that promoters of the Giro, one of the three grand tours of professional cycling, have eyed the District as a location for a prologue and first stage of the race. As local race promoters have sketched out possible routes, Mayor Adrian Fenty met with race director Aneglo Zomegnan last December to further push the bid along. And while yesterday’s event was merely held to update supporters on their progress and corral possible sponsors from the business community, it was clear from the event’s slogan — “History is made but once” — that officials see the Giro’s possible start in D.C. as a huge boost to the local economy and the city’s international standing.

Greg O’Dell, chief executive of the Washington Convention and Sports Authority, argued that the Giro’s coming to D.C. would be like few other sporting events the city has ever hosted. “The fact that it will bring a lot of economic impact was what made us even more excited about doing this,” he said, pointing out that the 2009 start of the Vuelta a España in Amsterdam netted the city 25 million euros from hotel stays and restaurant visits. O’Dell compared the city’s bid for the Giro to their desire to see the World Cup come back.