He was speaking here in the final stages of campaigning ahead of a vote on Saturday (September 7) which forms part of the 125th International Olympic Committee Session.

Erdener, who is also an Executive Committee member of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), did admit that "to be frank Turkey did not hold enough tests in the past".

But changes including a new anti-doping agency have considerable improved the situation, he claimed.

Although the announcement of 31 positive tests in the sport of athletics alone earlier this year appeared further evidence of a widespread doping problem, Erdener also argued that it provided evidence action is being taken to combat the problem.

He claimed that all sporting governing bodies in Turkey, including athletics, are now complying with these new regulations.

Ugur Erdener is President of World Archery as well as a member of the WADA executive committee so he is well placed to explain Istanbul 2020's plans to combat doping


"We have built an effective and aggressive top-down system of testing and sanctions," Erdener said.

"We understand there is no gain without pain and as a result we have had some of cases where sanctions have been enforced.

"But our policy is very clear - zero tolerance on doping."

He continued to explain the importance of teaching young athletes, as well as parents and coaches, what should and should not be put into bodies as a way to achieve this goal

Erdener was speaking here alongside Turkey's number one ranked tennis player Çağla Büyükakçay as well as Gizem Girişmen, the wheelchair archer who won a gold medal at Beijing 2008.

Gizem Girişmen on way to her gold medal in wheelchair archery at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games


The pair helped to promote the view that athletes will be at the centre of Istanbul's 2020 vision and that they want to give every competitor the opportunity to fulfill their full potential.

"Athletes spend around 80 per cent of their time in the Olympic Village or at training venues, so we have focused on placing facilities on their doorstep," said Girişmen

"Training venues for 22 sports will be within 15 minutes of the athletes' village and the average journey time from Village to competition venues will be just 16 minutes."

However, as well as these athletes, the citizens of Istanbul will also be focused upon and Erdener's sees this as one of "the most important arguments" in favour of his bid.

This was a point underlined by sporting director Alp Berker, who said that for the citizens of the city Istanbul 2020 will "not be a burden but a future development project."

Most of the venues due to be built will be "needed by the people," he added.