Restoration of Colosseum on schedule

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ROME, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Restoration of Rome's 2,000-year-old Colosseum will to begin on time, said shoe magnate and project underwriter Diego Della Valle.

Della Valle, president and chief executive officer of the Italian leather goods company Tod's, said at the IHT Luxury Conference in Rome Friday preparations are "running smoothly and (restoration) will begin soon."

Repairs to the iconic amphitheater will begin in December, the Italian ANSA news agency reported.

"Tod's will take care of the Colosseum. I hope other entrepreneurs will follow suit and fix up other Italian monuments," Della Valle said.

A 50-year-old man climbed to the top of the structure Friday and threatened to jump if he did not receive help for his heroin addiction. The man, whose name was not reported, told police and firefighters who were trying to coax him down he wanted to be sent "to a recovery community," the news agency said.

The report did not indicate whether the attempt to talk the man down was successful.