ISTANBUL
Chairman of the Istanbul 2020 Bid Committee, Hasan Arat on Sunday said that their first day with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission in Istanbul was "very fruitful".
Istanbul is a candidate to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Speaking at a press conference held at Istanbul's Conrad Hotel on Sunday, Hasan Arat underlined that they shared their visions on the olympic games with the IOC Evaluation Commission in a meeting which was also attended by Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
"Our first day with the IOC Evaluation Commission was very fruitful. This morning we shared our vision concerning the olympic games. By visiting the facilities in the afternoon, we showed that we have a strong and assertive plan. Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports, Istanbul Governor, Istanbul Mayor and representatives of some of Turkey's biggest corporations attended the meeting. The inauguration of the meeting was conducted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul. President Gul emphasized that both Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he were behind the olympics. President Gul assured the IOC Evaluation Commission that all the promises made would be fulfilled," Arat indicated.
"Turkey was a candidate to host the olympics four times in the past as a developing country. This time though Turkey applied to host the olympic games as a developed country," Arat noted.
"We are ready to host the 2020 olympics and paralympics with technical excellence," Arat said.
Hasan Arat pointed out that Istanbul's slogan for its candidacy would be announced by Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Suat Kilic on Monday.
IOC Evaluation Commission will continue its works on Monday.
