Tag: 2020 Olympics

Record end to year shows Turkey financial power, Istanbul 2020 claim

By Duncan Mackay

Istanbul Stock ExchangeDecember 31 – Istanbul 2020 are again emphasising Turkey’s growing financial vitality as a major reason why they should be awarded the Olympics and Paralympics.

With Istanbul, along with rivals Madrid and Tokyo, due to hand in their Candidature Files to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne next Monday (January 7) they are hailing a new record on the city’s Stock Exchange as a further sign of Turkey’s rapid development.

The Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) ended the year today at a record 78,208.44 points, the first time it has exceeded 78,000 points since its founding in 1985.

In dollar terms, the ISE grew by 57.58 per cent during 2012, second behind only Venezuela.

It ensures that Turkey remains on course to become one of the world’s top ten economies by 2023, when the country is due to celebrate its centenary, claims Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

He revealed today that in the last decade Turkish exports have risen to $150 billion (£92 billion/€114 billion) from $36 billion (£22 billion/€27 billion) and in the same period the reserves of the Central Bank rose to $121 billion (£74 billion/€92 billion) from $27.5 billion (£16.9 billion/€20.8 billion).

Turkey is also due to repay a $23.5 billion (£14.5 billion/€17.8 billion) loan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by next May.

Once it is cleared, the country is preparing to lend the fund $5 billion (£3 billion/€4 billion), said Erdoğan.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in front of Turkish flagsPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been in charge as the Turkish economy has outperformed nearly all of its rivals

Turkey’s growing economic strength contrasts with that of Spain, where Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey has admitted that the country face a difficult 2013, and Japan, the third biggest economy in the world but which is facing a drop in exports which is leading to major concerns.

“Istanbul 2020 is bridging across challenging economic realities and will take full advantage of Turkey’s robust and resilient economy,” said Hasan Arat, the leader of Istanbul 2020.

“Our plan is an ambitious one: an Olympic and Paralympic Games across two continents simultaneously for the first time in history, at the point where East meets West and the ancient meets the ultra-modern.

“But this news proves that our spectacular Games vision is founded on an economy that offers delivery security and the capacity to take the Olympic Movement forward in partnership with the IOC.”

Ugur Erdener, the President of the National Committee of Turkey (NOCT), claimed that the strength of the economy would continue to help the development of sport.

“Turkey’s economic boom has enabled the country to invest more in sport at every level,” he said.

“Better provision for grass roots sport has produced significant increases in youth participation nationwide.

“The quality and professionalism of elite sport in Turkey continues to boost the world’s confidence in our ability to host major international sporting events.

“Hosting the Olympic Games in 2020 would amplify this effect, satisfying Turkish youth’s thirst for sport and creating a solid foundation for a legacy plan which revolves around the Olympians of tomorrow.”

via Record end to year shows Turkey financial power, Istanbul 2020 claim – insidethegames.biz – Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News.

January 1, 2013
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
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
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
Istanbul 2020 bid gets boost from James Bond

By Tom Degun

skyfall istanbulOctober 25 – Istanbul is set to receive a major boost in its bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as the Turkish city provides a large part of the backdrop for the latest James Bond movie Skyfall.

Skyfall, which premiered in London this week, is the third Bond film to use Istanbul as a backdrop after From Russia With Love and The World Is Not Enough shot scenes in the city at locations including Maiden’s Tower.

Barbara Broccoli, the Bond film producer, has claimed that Istanbul was the favourite city of 007’s creator Ian Fleming, while the latest instalment of the franchise features some the its iconic landmarks, including the Blue Mosque, The Grand Bazaar and Eminönü Square.

skyfall-posterIstanbul provides a major part of the backdrop for the latest James Bond movie Skyfall

“The film industry has always been enchanted with Istanbul, but a recent surge in blockbuster films being set here is evidence that Istanbul is an iconic global city – something which we hope to display to the Olympic family in the forthcoming months,” said Istanbul 2020 bid leader Hasan Arat.

“Istanbul is the perfect backdrop for James Bond films – which mix tradition and charm with state-of-the art innovation and technology.

“These Bond films perfectly reflect the duality of Istanbul – it would be the only city to host an Olympic Games situated in two continents; where East truly meets West; where historic culture and traditional customs meet a thriving, modern economic and commercial hub.

“Istanbul’s majestic visual backdrop, spanning millennia, cultures and continents, will create a defining experience for athletes and captivating images for a global audience.”

Daniel Craig (pictured top), who plays Bond in Skyfall, said Istanbul is “an incredible backdrop to any movie”, while rumours are growing that the English actor will be supporting the Istanbul 2020 bid in person at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Buenos Aires in September next year, when the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic host city will be decided.

Maidens Tower_in_IstanbulThe iconic Maiden’s Tower featured in the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough

When contacted by insidethegames about the possibility of Craig appearing at the IOC Session, the Istanbul 2020 bid team declined to comment, increasing speculation that it will happen.

Istanbul is currently bidding against Madrid in Spain and Tokyo in Japan for the right to stage the 2020 Games with the final decision set to be made by the IOC on September 7 2013.

Before the vote, all three cities will be visited in March next year by an IOC Evaluation Commission headed by Britain’s Sir Craig Reedie.

Istanbul’s inspection visit will come last on March 24-27.

via Istanbul 2020 bid gets boost from James Bond | 2020 Summer Olympics | insidethegames.biz.

October 26, 2012
England hope to host Euro 2020 final if Istanbul awarded Olympics

England hope to host Euro 2020 final if Istanbul awarded Olympics

Monday, 24 September 2012

By Andrew Warshaw

wembley stadium_24-09-123September 24 – The English Football Association (FA) will propose Wembley Stadium to host the semi-finals and final of the 2020 European Championship if UEFA President Michel Platini’s plan to hold the tournament across Europe comes to fruition, FA chairman David Bernstein revealed today.

With the finals expanding to 24 teams in France in 2016, Platini wants the 2020 event to take place in 12 or 13 European countries with the latter stages at one venue, an idea that will be discussed by UEFA’s Executive Committee in December with a decision early next year.

Bernstein told a media briefing at Wembley: “Clearly Wembley is incredibly highly thought of by UEFA and it is something we will probably push for.

“UEFA want to hold the semi-finals and the final on the same ground, or in the same city and I think we would be on their shortlist – but there would be some strong competition.”

Turkey is still Platini’s preferred option but their bid will be dropped if Istanbul is awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the same year.

Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have also declared their interest in staging the finals together.

Wembley staged last year’s UEFA Champions League final and will be the venue again in 2013 to coincide with the FA’s 150th anniversary.

wembley stadiumWembley Stadium hosted last year’s UEFA Champions League final

Bernstein continued: “One of the major factors is whether Turkey get the Olympic Games or not.

“If Turkey do not get the Olympic Games then I think they are in a pretty good position to stage the Euros.

“If we believed there was a real opportunity of having the tournament here of course we would look at it.

“If Michel Platini’s current views prevail and it becomes a pan-European competition, then the focus needs to be on the semi-finals and final.”

After England’s doomed bid to stage the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the FA would be reluctant to get into any kind of bidding war.

But apart from the London Olympics, Euro 1996 was the latest major international sporting event in the country.

via England hope to host Euro 2020 final if Istanbul awarded Olympics | Football | insidethegames.biz.

September 25, 2012