Category: Sport

Initiative Kicks Off to Integrate Biking to Istanbul Commute

Initiative Kicks Off to Integrate Biking to Istanbul Commute

Bikelab İstanbul, an initiative to safely integrate bikes into Istanbul’s commute alternatives, has been launched today with a series of workshops.

Beyza KURAL

beyza@bianet.org

İstanbul – BIA News Desk

18 December 2012, Tuesday

Bikelab İstanbul, an initiative to safely integrate bikes into Istanbul’s commute alternatives, has been launched today with a series of workshops. EMBARQ Turkey, YARD 9 and Royal Dutch Consulate to Istanbul listed among supporters of the initiative that will work for a solution until 2014.

“We’re aiming to make biking safer in Istanbul and integrate it as an alternative way of commute. We will encourage public discussions on the matter and hopefully establish a pilot zone for bike traffic,” EMBARQ Turkey Director Arzu Tekir said.

The workshop hosted several speakers including Onno Kervers (Dutch Consul to Istanbul), Ali Doğan Şalva (EMBARQ Turkey), Gerbrand Wiepko Bas (YARD 9), Anton Lambertus Bosch (Dutch Cycling Embassy), Murat Suyabatmaz (Biking Association) and Kevser Ser (A life with Bikes Foundation).

Some of the highlights from the panel included:

* Unlike the Netherlands, Turkey is dangerous country for biking. Infrastructural issues prevent people from using bikes as a means of commute.

* Building bike lanes fundamentally encourages biking culture to develop.

* Bikers in Istanbul suffer most from inattentive drivers, lack of public bike lockers and common mentality toward that biking is not a way of commute.

* Some of the benefits of biking in Istanbul include: Fewer traffic accidents, less noise and air pollution, easier access for health care practitioners and rescue teams.

* Panelist recommended creation of special bike lanes, biking teaching zones and equipment for carrying bikes in public transport vehicles. (BK/HK)

via English :: Initiative Kicks Off to Integrate Biking to Istanbul Commute – Bianet.

December 19, 2012
Exclusive: Istanbul is ready to host the Olympics, says FINA vice-President

Championships, the former USA Swimming President who has been FINA vice-president for the Americas since 2000, has been delighted by Istanbul’s hosting of the global swimming tournament, which concludes tonight.

“It’s been a fantastic event,” said Neuburger, who is also the FINA technical swimming committee bureau liaison and technical delegate for this event.

“The Organising Committee has done an outstanding job to ensure an athlete centred competition and in our view that is the most important component of any event, giving the athletes a chance to perform at their very best.

“It has been a very exciting experience and there is no question that Istanbul is ready to host other major global sporting events.

“There is no question that Istanbul is ready to host the Olympics.”

Ryan Lochte has been on superb form in IstanbulAmerican Ryan Lochte has been on superb form in Istanbul

More than 160 National Federations have sent over 900 of the sport’s top athletes to the event here, which started on Wednesday (December 12), and spectators have witnessed superb performances, including two world record-breaking swims from America’s Ryan Lochte in the 100 and 200 metres individual medleys.

“This World Championships has been one that has included both established swimming stars and bright new stars that are likely to be successful at Rio 2016 [the next Summer Olympics],” Neuburger added.

“Coming just months after the 2012 Olympics it has been a perfect moment for many of our great swimmers and we’ve have had fantastic performances here from many stars that did well in London.

“The performances here of the young athletes also show that our future is very bright.”

Neuburger was equally impressed by the host venue – Europe’s largest multi-purpose indoor sports arena which played host to Serena Williams’ Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Championships victory this winter, before transforming in to an elite swimming arena featuring a demountable pool.

Sinan Erdem Arena11212Dale Neuburger has been delighted with the Sinan Erdem Arena

He also praised the logistics of the competition.

“The venue has been a great advance for us in a modern arena in a major city that has experience in other world championship events,” he said.

“The conditions have exceeded our expectations.

“The hotels are superb and the travel distances from the hotel to the venue and also to the airport are very approximate.

“World Championships are among the most important of events and Istanbul has done an exceptional job.”

His positive comments are the latest to come from a number of sport’s most respected figures, delivering a boost to Istanbul 2020, which is in a bidding race with Madrid and Tokyo for the hosting rights of the 2020 Games.

Earlier in the week, Istanbul’s hosting of the World Championships was praised by Bob Bowman – coach to the most decorated Olympian of all time, America’s Michael Phelps – who also endorsed the Turkish city’s 2020 Olympic and Paralympic bid, while Olympic swimming legend Mark Spitz gave his support back in July.

The American nine times Olympic gold medallist spoke out in favour of the Turkish city after swimming in the Cross-continental Race, a 6.5 kilometre event across the Bosphorus from Kanlıca on the city’s Asian side to Kuruçeşme on the European side, organised by the National Olympic Committee of Turkey (NOCT).

via Exclusive: Istanbul is ready to host the Olympics, says FINA vice-President – insidethegames.biz – Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News.

December 17, 2012
Toni Schumacher: Turkey is a great promoter of football

The former West Germany international has insisted that his time with Fenerbahce was simply amazing, and feels it is a surprise that the national side have failed to perform on the big stage

Former FC Koln, FC Schalke 04 and Fenerbahce custodian Toni Schumacher has stressed that the environment in Turkish stadiums is unparalleled in the game. He claimed that people in Turkey take football very seriously as he plied his trade with the Istanbul side for three years.

The Germany legend was left in awe with the sporting traditions in the country. He stated that it is a treat for football fanatics to experience a game in Turkey. The 2013 Under-20 World Cup will be hosted in the country and the former coach suggested that it is a wise decision to hold the competition there.

“To experience a match in a Turkish stadium with these supporters is the ultimate for any football fan,” he was quoted as saying in an interview.

The 58-year-old believes that the locals will be honoured to organise the event as it is a golden opportunity for them to display their love for football. He expects the Turkish people to make sure that this will become a successful event. Moreover, it will present a good chance for the youngsters to show their talent at crowded stadiums.

“Knowing the Turkish people as I do, they’ll be unbelievably proud to host this tournament. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to show what they can do. I’m sure they’ll take this chance and do everything they can to make sure everyone has a great time,” he added.

“The stadiums are going to be packed and it’s going to be something really special for all the young players involved,” he finally concluded.

Toni played 65 games for the Kadikoy outfit and helped them win the domestic league in 1989. He further added that Turkey can do well in the tournament as they have a lot of potential in their ranks. He revealed that even though they have not featured regularly in the major competitions, they are recognised as a very good and creative team.

via Toni Schumacher: Turkey is a great promoter of football | bettor.com.

November 27, 2012
We will adopt the best of London 2012, promises Istanbul 2020

By Tom Degun

IstanbulNovember 22 – The Istanbul 2020 Olympic and Paralympic bid team has promised to adopt the best of London 2012 following the official debriefing of this summer’s Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Istanbul 2020 sent a senior delegation to the debriefing where they gathered key insights from London 2012 that they feel can help them capitalise on Turkey’s growing event-hosting experience and significant infrastructure investment.

“Istanbul is a bustling metropolis spanning two continents,” said Istanbul 2020 bid leader Hasan Arat.

“But in 2020 we will still be able to offer athletes average travel times of 20 minutes or less.

“These ambitious infrastructure developments show our country’s determination to deliver on all our promises to the Olympic family and match London’s organisational excellence.

“The strength of Turkey’s economy and the committed support from all levels of Government mean we are better placed than ever to realise our vision.”
london 2012 ceremonyThe Istanbul 2020 Olympic and Paralympic bid team believes it can emulate the successful London 2012 Games
The London 2012 debriefing in Rio comes just after a number of major transport and tourism projects were announced in Istanbul as part of the city’s long-term development strategy.

Work will begin on Istanbul’s third airport in 2014 and, with six runways and a passenger capacity which could reach 150 million per year, it is set to be the world’s largest airport by 2020.

Meanwhile, October 2013 will see the opening of the Haliç metro across the Golden Horn, which will carry an estimated one million passengers every day.

In addition, a new metro line with a capacity of 70,000 passengers per hour in each direction was completed earlier this year which has removed 572 buses, 1,227 minibuses and thousands of cars from the roads.

Istanbul has now invested an average of $1.2 billion (£752 million/€944 million) on transport infrastructure upgrades every year for the last seven years with billions more spent on general infrastructure.

Istanbul’s hotel room inventory has also grown from 26,000 rooms in 2004 to 63,000 and it is estimated the city will have an inventory of over 96,000 hotel rooms by 2020.

The Turkish city is bidding against Madrid in Spain and Tokyo in Japan for the right to stage the 2020 Olympic and Paralympics.

The winner will be announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Session in Buenos Aires on September 7 next year.

via We will adopt the best of London 2012, promises Istanbul 2020 – insidethegames.biz – Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News.

November 23, 2012
Galatasaray fans provide a “Welcome Party” for Manchester United in Istanbul – YouTube

Galatasaray fans provide a “Welcome Party” for Manchester United in Istanbul. The team dodged this by exiting through a VIP exit. Most of the chants were about Leeds United. This was the “cleanest” one.

via Galatasaray fans provide a “Welcome Party” for Manchester United in Istanbul – YouTube.

November 20, 2012
Olympics Features: Istanbul 2020: Bid city hosts UN World Tourism Organization Global Summit

The Maiden’s Tower in Istanbul / Istanbul 2020

LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications

November 15 – The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is holding its Global Summit in the bid city gathering more than 1200 delegates from 155 countries allowing an excellent opportunity for Istanbul to show off its touristic qualities.

There are six associate members attending as well as over 400 affiliate members representing private businesses, educational institutions, tourism associations, and local tourism authorities participating at the meeting being held at the Haliç Congress Centre on the banks of the Golden Horn.

Some of the attendees included Mayor of Istanbul, Kadir Topbaş; the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ertuğrul Günay; and UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai.

The leader of the bid, Hasan Arat, was also presenting at the Global Summit in his capacity as Vice President of the TOBB Tourism Assembly and Vice Chairman of the UNWTO Affiliate Members.

Arat said, “Tourism figures continue to illustrate that more and more people are being attracted to Turkey every year. Turkey will welcome a record 33 million visitors this year – a 200% increase over the last decade.

“The huge investment that has already been made into Turkey’s tourism infrastructure demonstrates the country’s desire to deliver the best possible visitor experience.

“As a result, Istanbul is better placed now than it has ever been to deal with the demands placed on a city by hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Over the last 7 years Istanbul has hosted more than 40 cultural, sporting, and tourism events. This year alone the city held theIAAF World Indoor Championships, the WTA Championships and Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon.

IOC member and head of the Turkish NOC, Uğur Erdener, said, “As a city which has brought together people of different nationalities and cultures throughout its fascinating history, it is fitting that this summit, which involves the sharing and exchanging of knowledge and ideas, is held in Istanbul – the city where East meets West.

“Istanbul has now emerged as a global capital due to its central gateway location, diverse cultural attractions and world-class facilities.

“This has made the city an attractive destination for the world’s top international business and sporting events.”

Coming up next is the 11th FINA World Swimming Championships set to be held in the Sinan Erdem Dome December 12-16. This venue is slated to host basketball according to the bid plan to stage the Games.

Istanbul is bidding against Madrid and Tokyo for the 2020 summer Olympics.

The IOC will vote for their host city on September 7, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

via Olympics Features: Istanbul 2020: Bid city hosts UN World Tourism Organization Global Summit.

November 19, 2012