Istanbul 2020 Officials said Wednesday that the recent violent protests in their nation will have “no bearing” on whether or not Istanbul is chosen to host the 2020 Olympics when IOC members meet for a final vote in Buenos Aires this September.
“The feedback Istanbul 2020 has received from IOC members and the wider Olympic family continues to be positive and very understanding,” Officials told the AP. “While they are obviously as keen as we are for a swift and peaceful resolution, the majority of people we have spoken to recognize that 2020 is still seven years away.”
The protests come amid Turkey’s fifth bid to host the Summer Games in the last six Olympic cycles, dating back to 1996. As one of only three finalists, this is already their best showing after finishing fourth in the vote to host the 2008 Games that were eventually awarded to Beijing, and finishing fifth for the 2000 Games, which were hosted by Sydney.
Istanbul’s price tag of $19 billion is astronomical compared to Tokyo’s $4.5 billion and Madrid’s $1.9 billion, but Turkey is focusing its pitch on improving transportation to “Bridge Together” two continents, figuratively - of course - but also literally by way of the Bosphorus, which connects Europe and Asia.
And so, officials wish to focus on the idea of unity, rather than on the protests:
“This is a bid for the people of Turkey and we are united by our passion to bring the Games here for the first time. Istanbul 2020, and the 20-year dream of the Turkish people, will not be affected by the events.”
Turkey is also set to host the Under-20 soccer World Cup starting later this month, and FIFA officials have said that the tournament will go on as scheduled.
