Turkish Forum

Tag: 2020 Olympics

  • Istanbul 2020 bid slogan: ‘Bridge Together’

    Istanbul 2020 bid slogan: ‘Bridge Together’

    Istanbul 2020 bid slogan: ‘Bridge Together’

    ISTANBUL — Istanbul chose a “Bridge Together” slogan for its 2020 Olympic bid on Monday, while an IOC poll indicated strong public support for the city’s fifth attempt to secure the games.

    The survey results, announced by Turkish Youth and Sports Minister Suat Kilic, found that 83 percent of Istanbul residents and 76 percent of the national population back the Olympic effort.

    The new bid slogan highlights the city’s unique geographic location straddling Europe and Asia. It’s inspired by Istanbul’s Bosporus Bridge, which connects the city’s European and Asian sides.

    “Istanbul is a bridge between East and West, between Europe and Asia, and between civilizations, cultures and faiths,” Kilic said. “I hope that this slogan brings success not only to Turkey but to everyone who shares the Olympic values.”

    The slogan and survey results were made public on the second day of the International Olympic Committee evaluation commission’s four-day assessment of Istanbul’s bid. The team has already visited bidders Tokyo and Madrid.

    The IOC will select the 2020 host city at its general assembly in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7.

    The bid committee has been touting Istanbul’s ability to stage the games on two continents to set it apart from Tokyo and Madrid. It is also pitching Turkey’s growing economy and promising new and modern venues. Istanbul would bring the games to a new region and a mainly-Muslim country for the first time.

    “Istanbul 2020 is delighted that Istanbul’s fifth bid to host one games on two continents, for the first time ever in Turkey, has not only captured the world’s attention, but has drawn upon the passion of our sports-loving nation,” bid chairman Hasan Arat said.

    Istanbul is bidding for the Olympics after unsuccessful attempts for the games of 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

    Earlier, a leading Turkish businessman assured the IOC of the private sector’s support Istanbul’s bid.

    Ali Koc, board member of Turkey’s Koc Holding, said the country’s business community is ready “to help one of the most important projects in Turkey’s history.”

    In January, the Istanbul bid secured $20 million in sponsorship from seven leading Turkish companies, including Koc Holding.

    via Istanbul 2020 bid slogan: ‘Bridge Together’.

  • Istanbul hopes to impress IOC panel with 2020 bid

    Istanbul hopes to impress IOC panel with 2020 bid

    By SUZAN FRASER, Associated Press

    ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — After four unsuccessful attempts, Istanbul is ready to pitch its bid for the 2020 Olympics by stressing Turkey’s robust economy, plans for modern venues and a two-continent backdrop.

    The city of nearly 15 million, which straddles Europe and Asia, is touting its unique geographical location to set it apart from rival bidders Tokyo and Madrid.

    The IOC’s evaluation commission arrives in Istanbul this weekend for a four-day tour to assess Istanbul’s plans, finances and existing venues.

    The panel, headed by IOC Vice President Craig Reedie, has already visited Tokyo and Madrid. The full IOC will select the 2020 host city in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7.

    Many of Istanbul’s venues will need to be constructed from scratch but Turkey sees this as an advantage, not a setback. Tokyo hosted the 1964 Olympics and Spain held the games in Barcelona in 1992.

    “The Istanbul Olympics would be presenting a totally modern, brand new, and specially designed facilities that would 100 percent meet the requirements of each of the sports branches,” Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Suat Kilic told the Associated Press in an interview before the IOC visit.

    Istanbul would bring the games to a new region that sits on two continents and to a predominantly Muslim nation for the first time.

    “Istanbul is the only place which promises Olympic Games held on two continents, at the same time,” Kilic said. “The opening ceremony will be held in Asia with the Bosporus and the continent of Europe as the backdrop, while the water sports competitions will be held on the Golden Horn, with the Bosporus Bridge and Asia in the background.”

    The Golden Horn is a waterway on the European side, separating the old and new parts of the city.

    Addressing the city’s notorious congestion, Turkey is undertaking a series of massive projects, including the construction of a six-runway third airport for the city to be built by 2016, a third bridge crossing the Bosporus, an underwater rail link also uniting the European and Asian sides of the city as well as expanded metro and light rail lines.

    Istanbul’s projected infrastructure budget for the Olympics is $19.2 billion — 10 times that of Madrid ($1.9 billion) and much higher than that of Tokyo ($4.9 billion).

    Madrid, which is mired in recession, contends its spendthrift approach is better suited for the games, but Turkey is dismissing any notion of excess and insisting all projects are among Turkey’s development plans for the next five years and will proceed independently from the Olympic bid.

    “We don’t have a penny to squander. Each penny that we are spending is intended to serve Istanbul’s needs for the years to come,” Kilic said.

    “This is what the Olympic legacy is all about,” he added. “Perhaps this will be the first games in history where so much Olympic legacy will be left behind for the use of the people. All of the facilities, the infrastructure, the metro, the health facilities, the sports facilities — all of it, will serve future needs of the city of 15 million.”

    Turkey boasts a young population, a stable democracy and strong economic growth.

    “Everybody is aware of Turkey’s economic stability,” Kilic said. “We are the No.1 fastest growing economy in Europe. Among the (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, we have the No. 2 fastest growing economy.”

    Turkey had expressed an interest in hosting the 2020 European soccer championship, which would weaken its Olympic bid, but Kilic said Turkey was putting its full weight behind hosting the games.

    “Our position is very clear,” Kilic said. “Between the two options Turkey has given its preference — and all its weight — to the Olympic Games. Our application to host the games has Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s signature. We have clearly made our choice in favor of the Olympics.”

    Kilic said the fact that this is Istanbul’s fifth attempt at hosting the games was proof of its enthusiasm. Istanbul tried previously for the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 20012 Olympics.

    “Persistently and with an undying buzz, we have displayed our willingness to host these games,” Kilic said. “No one can remain indifferent to this enthusiasm.”

    via Istanbul hopes to impress IOC panel with 2020 bid – US News and World Report.

    more : http://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2013/03/22/istanbul-hopes-to-impress-ioc-panel-with-2020-bid

  • 7 firms pledge $3.2 million for Istanbul Olympics bid

    7 firms pledge $3.2 million for Istanbul Olympics bid

    Ankara (Turkey), March 10 (IANS) Seven of Turkey’s leading conglomerates have pledged to contribute to the bid to bring the 2020 Summer Olympics to the Turkish city of Istanbul, with sponsorship deals worth $3.2 million.

    An earlier meeting in Berlin in January resulted in seven firms, including Turkish Airlines, Koc Holding, Ulker, Dogus Group, Digiturk, Sabanci Holding and Turkcell, pledging investments as high as $20 million to sponsor the games, reports Xinhua.

    Sports Minister Suat Kilic has announced the deals alongside representatives from the seven companies in Istanbul, saying, “Before our sponsors became involved in the process, we felt all alone. When they decided to provide their support, we realized we were one big family.”

    The minister said the seven firms will put up $3.2 million in sponsorships, an amount which he said represented “50 percent of the burden”.

    Istanbul is competing in the final three with Madrid and Tokyo for the right to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. This is the fifth bid Turkey has made in the last six selections. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will elect the host city in a vote in September in Buenos Aires.

    via 7 firms pledge $3.2 million for Istanbul Olympics bid.

  • Greece backs Istanbul’s 2020 Olympic bid

    Greece backs Istanbul’s 2020 Olympic bid

    ISTANBUL — Greece has offered its support to regional rival Turkey’s bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

    The prime ministers of both countries signed an agreement pledging to cooperate on Istanbul’s latest bid for the games.

    The accord was signed by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras following meetings in Istanbul on Sunday and Monday.

    In a joint declaration, the leaders said they are committed to “engage in cooperation with regard to the technical and related aspects in the organization of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.”

    The agreement said the two sides will “explore ways of enhancing the benefits of the Olympics for the two countries as well as for the entire Balkan and Black Sea region” if Istanbul wins the bid.

    Greece, the home of the ancient Olympics and birthplace of the modern games, last hosted the Olympics in Athens in 2004.

    Istanbul, bidding for a fifth time, is competing against Tokyo and Madrid for the 2020 Games. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7.

    “The ties between Turkey and Greece have been strengthened today, thanks to the power of the Olympic movement to build bridges,” Istanbul bid leader Hasan Arat said. “The closer cooperation between our countries will be a valuable and lasting legacy of our bid.”

    Greece and Turkey mounted a joint bid for soccer’s 2008 European Championship, which was awarded to Austria and Switzerland.

    Turkey and Greece nearly went to war three times between 1974 and 1996. Relations between the uneasy NATO allies have improved greatly since the late 1990s, but Athens and Ankara remain at odds over a broad range of issues, including war-divided Cyprus, Aegean Sea boundaries, and illegal immigration.

    Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

    via Greece backs Istanbul’s 2020 Olympic bid – ESPN.

  • Forbes Report Boosts Istanbul 2020 Bid

    Forbes Report Boosts Istanbul 2020 Bid

    A Forbes report citing the Turkish stock market’s “astounding 56 per cent” growth naming Turkey the best performer in its 2012 Periodic Table of emerging markets, has boosted Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

    The report alludes to Istanbul 2020’s promise of bridging the ancient with the ultra-modern as it highlights the “fantastic transformation” that has taken place in Istanbul in recent years.

    Istanbul 2020 says the news comes just as TUIK, the state-run statistics body, announced that Turkey’s jobless rate fell to 9.2 per cent last year, the lowest it has been since 2005 and amongst the lowest in Europe.

    Hasan Arat, Chairman of Istanbul 2020 said, “this latest article in Forbes really sums up the mood of optimism in Turkey, and especially in Istanbul. We are on an upwards trajectory right now and we are nowhere near the top of our arc. Istanbul 2020 is capitalising on Turkey’s strong economic situation and we have the 100 per cent backing of every level of government and our powerful public sector. This is Turkey’s first sports bid in history to have been launched personally by the Prime Minister, and $20 million in sponsorship represents the largest private sector investment in a Turkish sports bid ever. Istanbul 2020 has matched a 20-year desire with commitment and capacity”.

    Ugur Erdener, IOC member and President of the Turkish NOC added, “Istanbul is now ready to deliver a Games founded on technical excellence. The country’s economic strength has laid the foundations for us to host more and more sports events to world-class standards. We are still listening and we are still learning every time we stage competitions, and this would help us create the ideal conditions for elite athletic performance in 2020”.

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be inspecting Istanbul’s 2020 bid on a four-day visit beginning March 24.

    via GamesBids.com – Forbes Report Boosts Istanbul 2020 Bid.

  • Istanbul Uses Economy, Youth in Push for Olympic Games

    Istanbul Uses Economy, Youth in Push for Olympic Games

    By Danielle Rossingh – Feb 27, 2013 1:01 AM GMT+0100

    Istanbul, which failed in four previous attempts to stage the Olympics, is counting on its fast-growing economy and young population to land the 2020 Games.

    The city, which bid to host the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics, is competing with Madrid and Tokyo to organize the world’s biggest sports event. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city in Buenos Aires in September.

    “This time, it’s totally different,” Hasan Arat, the chairman of the Istanbul 2020 campaign, said in an interview in London yesterday. “This fifth bid is a new bid for a new Turkey.”

    While the country struggled with “triple-digit” inflation a decade ago, Arat said, that’s improved to 7.3 percent last month.

    “We are the fastest-growing economy in Europe,” he added. “Between 2002 and 2011, we had annual economic growth of 5.2 percent. And we are forecast to be inside the top 10 of the world’s biggest economies by 2023 measured by gross domestic product. The time is right for Turkey, and for Istanbul,” said Arat. He’s also chairman of Capital Partners, a real estate developer operating in Turkey, Kazakhstan and Russia.

    Turkey hosted the Champions League soccer title match in 2005 and two years ago added the season-ending women’s tennis tour finals. It invested in new stadiums and infrastructure in an attempt to land the Olympic Games.

    ‘Legacy’

    The 2020 bid has the support of 94 percent of the city’s population, half of whom are under the age of 25, Arat said.

    “We are focusing on our legacy for our young generation,” Arat said. “It would be a historic moment for the Olympic movement. This region has never had an Olympics before, it’s a new market in a very young part of the world.”

    Since 1994, Istanbul has built 14 Olympic venues, including the 75,000-seat Istanbul Ataturk Olympic Stadium and the multipurpose Sinan Erdem Dome, site of tennis’s WTA Championships and the 2010 World Basketball Championships.

    Istanbul’s total investment — including government infrastructure projects — will be $19.2 billion and would generate 200,000 jobs, Arat said.

    Tokyo has earmarked $4.5 billion for building projects, while Madrid has pledged $1.9 billion.

    Last month, seven of Turkey’s biggest companies said they’d sponsor the 2020 bid in a deal worth $20 million in total.

    Arat didn’t think its proximity to Syria and two bomb attacks earlier this month would discourage IOC members from voting for Istanbul.

    Car Bomb

    A Feb. 11 car-bomb attack near the border with Syria killed 14 people and heightened concern that the civil war there may spill over the border. On Feb. 1, a suicide bomber detonated explosives just inside a back-gate checkpoint at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, killing a Turkish security guard and the bomber.

    Turkey has supported the Syrian rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad, who has accused the country of providing them with military support. NATO missile-defense batteries have been deployed at Turkey’s request to reinforce security at its Syrian border.

    “This is a global issue for the world, it’s not just Istanbul’s or Turkey’s problem,” Arat said. “Everywhere in the world, countries and security forces have to fight with these issues. Turkey is doing its best to help the Syrian people. All governments have to work together to find a solution for those problems. I am confident that our government is working very hard on this.”

    via Istanbul Uses Economy, Youth in Push for Olympic Games – Bloomberg.