Turkish PM to head Olympics bid delegation
Updated: 2013-09-02 20:40
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan will lead Istanbul's delegation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as it bids to land the 2020 summer Olympics.
The IOC will vote on the location of the world's biggest and most expensive multi-sport event at its session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sept 7.
Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo, who previously held the games in 1964, are the three cities bidding for the rights to succeed 2016 Rio de Janeiro as the next summer Games hosts.
Should it win, Istanbul will be the first country with a Muslim majority to get the Olympics, and the first to take place on two continents - the European and Asian parts of the metropolis.
"We are delighted that we will have the Prime Minister and other senior Turkish government officials with us in Buenos Aires," bid chairman Hasan Arat said in a statement.
"Istanbul 2020 has enjoyed full government support from the very moment the Prime Minister personally launched our bid over two years ago."
The IOC report on Istanbul praised the government backing, wide public support and its capability to deliver construction for the Games on time with a massive projected infrastructure budget of $19.2 billion, including building legacy projects.
But the bid has been undermined by a series of blows in recent months. Anti-government protests have rocked Turkey, doping bans have been slapped on dozens of its athletes and turmoil in the Middle East is deepening with the prospect of US-led military intervention against neighbouring Syria.
Related Stories
Istanbul win may offer historic firsts for Olympic Movement 2013-08-21 07:50
Istanbul Olympic bidding boss looks to winning 2013-08-16 21:39
Today's Top News
Eagle Boy takes to sky to break another record
Beijing tightens vehicle emission controls against PM 2.5
Experts: US unwise to wage war on Assad
Eurasian nations focus on Net
Trending news across China
Merkel in TV debate with rival
Manufacturing sees quick expansion
Sowing the seeds of sustained growth
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Tin city explores economic shift |
Caught in the Web of rumor and innuendo |
Power points |
Magnetic attraction for
|
Urban push |
Summer Guide Special |