Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday announced Istanbul’s bid to host the 2020 summer Olympic Games.
“We are here today to declare to the world our candidacy for the 2020 Olympic Games, which we consider extremely important for our country and people,” Erdogan said in his televised remarks.
“We bid because we deem extremely important the sportive values and Olympics spirit that have a great contribution in establishing peace in the world,” Erdogan said.
Turkey with its rapidly growing economy, strength to overcome the global economic crisis and ongoing investments in sports facilities and international organisations, makes it an ideal candidate to host the summer Games, he added.
Turkey have failed in three previous bids to host the Games.
Rome, Tokyo and Madrid are also bidding for the 2020 Games with Doha considering a bid, and South Africa’s Olympic Committee boss Gideon Sam hoping the government will change its mind and endorse a bid by Durban.
Potential hosts have until September 1 to announce their bids with the Interational Olympic Committee (IOC) naming the winner on September 7, 2013 in Buenos Aires. (AFP)
