Olympics Features: Istanbul 2020: NOC of Turkey has new plan and bid is a national priority

Minister for Youth and Sport Suat Kilic reaffirmed that the Olympic bid is national priority / Istanbul 2020

LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications

May 9 – The National Olympic Committee of Turkey has a new plan to use sport as an educational instrument together with the 2020 bid to promote healthy lifestyles to the younger generation and bring about social change.

NOC head and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, Professor Ugur Erdener, who is also in charge of the International Archery Federation, said, “Our objective is clear: we want to inject ideals of Olympism in our public through Olympic values and provide a strong representation of our nation in the international sports arena.

“Our athletes are the guides spreading the spirit of Olympism. They respect and protect the Olympic values, they are our heroes who inspire the future generations.

“This plan is the first step in a long term project which covers the Turkish National Olympic Committee’s objective to host 2020 Olympic Games and taking Turkish sport to new horizons.”

The new strategy was drawn from the experience of over 1,000 stakeholders across the nation and focuses on the country’s rapidly growing economic situation. Turkey’s economy grew 8.5% last year beating even China and the new plan targets the 20 million people who are under 20 years of age to bring about long term sport and social benefits.

The NOC intends to use the high level sports venues to promote sport in Turkey and to compound on the already strong foundation the country has as one of the top ten in the world for sport.

Turkey’s Minister for Youth and Sport, Suat Kiliç, was present at the announcement of the plan and said, “We believe that sport carries great importance in building a strong future for our children. We are determined to raise and advance our talented young population through a strong bond between education and sport.

“Turkey has hosted many Olympic events in recent years. They have increased Turkish citizens’ passion for Olympic sports and provided them with valuable organisational experience.

“Turkey is now ready to be a strong partner of the International Olympic Committee. As the Minister of Youth and Sport, I wholeheartedly support the efforts of Turkish National Olympic Committee in developing Turkish sport.”

Kilic also drove home the importance of the Olympic bid,“Our Prime Minister announced the bid himself, and Istanbul 2020 retains the same support from the same highest level. We will fulfil every requirement to win the right to host the Games, under the leadership of our Prime Minister.

“The new strategic plan is particularly focused on two areas – providing a solid relationship between education and sports and creating a bridge to the world stage for aspiring young Turkish athletes. Hasan Arat, a leading member of the Istanbul 2020 bid team and Vice President of Turkey’s National Olympic Committee, spoke of how the Istanbul 2020 bid would help drive both areas of the plan:

“For many young athletes there is often a difficulty in balancing education and sport, and for turning a passion for sport into a career. Thanks to Turkey’s growing economy, and its stable political situation, we are now in a position to be able to devote the investment needed to solving this problem, with Istanbul’s 2020 bid as the catalyst.

“Already our bid is connecting the Olympic Movement with the country’s young population, raising its profile among a brand new audience. But there is a lot still to be done; this new strategy is just an early indicator of the changes the 2020 Games could inspire in our country.”

Istanbul is bidding against Baku, Doha, Madrid and Tokyo to host the summer Olympics of 2020.

The IOC will vote the final host city on September 7 of 2013 in Buenos Aires.

via Olympics Features: Istanbul 2020: NOC of Turkey has new plan and bid is a national priority.