Suat Kılıç claimed that their bid offers innovative offer to the Olympic Movement, creating a legacy of harmony across the region by harnessing the promise of Turkey's young population, its robust economy, national support for the bid, and a fusion of ancient history with modern infrastructure, including Bosphorus bridge, which spans the Bosphorus strait connecting Europe and Asia.

It offers the Olympics a unique opportunity to stage a Games in two continents in one city and yet the average athlete travel time to all venues is just 20 minutes, he said.

"Istanbul 2020 is uniting the nation behind the bid," said Kılıç (pictured left).

"The Application File makes it clear to the whole world that the Olympic and Paralympic Games are a national priority.

"Already, 87 per cent of people in Istanbul have said they want to host Turkey's first ever Games, in 2020.

"Their passion is echoed by a Government dedicated to making the nation's Olympic dream a reality – from the President and Prime Minister, across opposition parties, right through to the municipal authorities."

The Master Plan comprises four venue zones, each aligned with the city's ambitious strategic development plan.

Of the 36 venues, 11 are in place and a further 10 are already planned to meet community and elite training requirements, Kılıç claimed. 

There will be five temporary venues, with 10 additional state-of-the-art permanent venues.

This is Istanbul's fifth attempt to host the Olympics and Paralympics having failed in previous bids for 2000 and 2004, 2008 and 2012.

The difference is that before they were the rank outsiders but this time, to many people, they are the favourites. 

Hasan Arat, a leading member of the Istanbul bid, vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey (NOCT) and a prominent businessman, underlined Istanbul 2020's role as an enabler for profound, positive change in Turkey.

"Istanbul 2020 is uniting our designs for the future of the city and for the development of sport in Turkey," said Arat, who is expected to be officially appointed leader of the bid in the next few weeks.

"The Games will accelerate and augment implementation of existing programmes, and stimulate and focus a range of new ones.

"That way, we have been able to guarantee the long-term environmental, social and economic sustainability of our concept.

"Istanbul is a city that is weaving state-of-the-art development around ancient monuments.

"For the last seven years, there has been an average spend of $1.2 billion on transport infrastructure upgrades in Istanbul.

"With economic growth of 8.3 per cent in 2011, this trend of rapid development is set to continue.

"Now we offer the efficiency and convenience expected of every world-class city, set against a stunning backdrop which very few can match. Turkey is a new and exciting player in a traditional market."

One of the driving forces behind Turkey's economic growth is a young, dynamic and highly ambitious population, claimed Uğur Erdener, the President of the NOCT and a prominent IOC member.

"Istanbul 2020 is uniting our youth – mobilising young people in support of the Games and the Olympic ideals," he said.

"There are 20 million under-20s in Turkey and nearly 50 per cent of the population is under 25.

"Istanbul 2020 will connect young people globally with an inclusive digital experience and help reignite an entire generation's passion for Olympism.

"We are developing an ambitious programme of educational and entrepreneurial programmes that will give young people from all over the world the chance to play an active role in Games delivery and legacy management.

"These programmes will resonate not just in Turkey, but throughout the Olympic Movement."

Arat claimed one of the most attractive aspects of the bid was how everyone had pulled together. 

"Our bid team is integrated with the existing Istanbul Olympic Games Preparation Committee overseen by an empowered Olympic Council," he said.

"That means budget is already assigned, top-level leadership is in place and the experienced human capital is ready to be activated.

"This alignment ensures that, should we win the honour of hosting the Games, the IOC would be working with the people they have grown to know and trust during the application process."

To read the full Istanbul Applicant File click here (137.41 MB).

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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