Istanbul 2020 in Olympic Capital with Mersin Momentum
Istanbul 2020 delegation buoyed by success of 17th Mediterranean Games ahead of 2020 Candidate Cities Briefing for IOC members in Lausanne
Lausanne, Switzerland; 02 July 2013: Ali Babacan, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Financial Affairs, is in Lausanne leading a top-level Istanbul 2020 delegation with real momentum behind it after the conclusion of the successful Mersin 2013 Mediterranean Games this week.
The Istanbul 2020 leadership is now looking to build on this strong momentum at the 2020 Candidate Cities Briefing for IOC members. Joining Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan in Lausanne will be the Minister for Youth and Sport, Suat Kılıç; IOC member and President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee, Professor Uğur Erdener; Istanbul 2020 Chairman, Hasan Arat; and Istanbul 2020 CEO, Ali Kiremitçioğlu.
Speaking in Lausanne, Istanbul 2020 Chairman, Hasan Arat, said:
“The Mediterranean Games has shown the sports world how much Turkey can achieve in just 18 months when we are united behind a common goal. Now is our chance to show the IOC how much Turkey could achieve in seven years if we are awarded the honour of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“There is a sense of fresh impetus in the Bid Committee and we are looking forward to this great opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities to the Olympic Family. Our commitment to bringing the Games to our country for the first time is now matched by capacity. We can be the Olympic Movement’s bridge to a new region, a new market and a new culture.”
TOKI, the state agency responsible for the construction of all Istanbul 2020 infrastructure, delivered all Mersin 2013 venues in just 18 months after Turkey stepped in as hosts less than two years ago. Turkey finished second behind Italy in the medals table in Mersin with a total of 126 medals, including 47 golds, almost doubling the country’s previous best record tally at a Mediterranean Games.
Amongst the Turkish medal winners in Mersin were Turkey’s number one female tennis player, Çağla Büyükakçay, who won gold in the women’s tennis singles and the women’s tennis doubles; and Olympian and Istanbul 2020 Ambassador, Neslihan Darnel, who won silver in women’s volleyball. Both athletes will join the Istanbul 2020 delegation in Lausanne along with Istanbul 2020 Sports Director, Alp Berker; TOKI President Ahmet Haluk Karabel; and Paralympian and Istanbul 2020 Ambassador, Gizem Girişmen.
Turkish NOC President, Professor Uğur Erdener, commented:
“Turkey can take a lot of pride and many valuable lessons from the Mediterranean Games. Now our task in Lausanne is to show the Olympic Family that we are ready to be the strong, effective partner they need to host an outstanding Games.
“Our reputation as events hosts is growing all the time because we know how to put athletes first in Turkey. If Istanbul is awarded the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games it would be no different. All Games venues have been designed with athletes in mind, as we aim to provide the optimum conditions for elite athletic performance. Athletes will be inspired by spectacular venues filled with passionate fans and set against the stunning backdrops that only Istanbul can offer.”
Emerging tennis star Çağla Büyükakçay added:
“It is really exciting to be in the Olympic Capital with the team, especially so soon after Mersin 2013. Turkey put in a great performance for the Mediterranean Games and I was able to make a good contribution to the result – I am hopeful that it will be the same here in Lausanne. After the ANOC General Assembly, I am actually really looking forward to being on stage again and telling the Olympic Family how much hosting the Games means to young athletes in Turkey.”
Turkey’s hosting of major international sporting events continues this week as the FIFA Under-20 World Cup reaches the knock-out stages. The tournament is being staged across seven cities in Turkey and concludes in one of Istanbul 2020’s proposed football venues, Galatasaray’s state-of-the-art Seyrantepe stadium, on 13 July.
For further information please contact:
Istanbul 2020 Media Team: mediainfo@istanbul2020.com.tr
Nick Dawes: nick@jtassocs.com | +447557435851