Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN announced Istanbul’s bid for 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games

“We are here today to declare to the world our candidacy for the 2020 Olympic Games, which we consider extremely important for our country and people,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN said in his speech on Saturday August 13th, 2011.

With its rapidly growing economy, strength in overcoming the global economic crisis and ongoing investments in sports facilities and international organizations, Turkey is an ideal candidate to host the summer Games, he added.

ERDOGAN said Turkish government would legislate special laws dedicated to Olympic Games to speed up the investments and tenders that would be necessary for the country to prepare for the games. “We can say that the infrastructure of the city is ready while we can finish the investments for the superstructure quickly and easily”.

Prof. Dr. ERDENER, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey and IOC Member stated that :

“We are delighted that the whole country is rallying behind this remarkable event, and we fully believe that with the support of our nation and government, we are in line to become one of the strongest contenders for this bid.”

Turkey is a nation that thrives on the power of sport; and we are ready and committed to deliver a spectacular platform that will allow the elite athletes of the world to compete together, and entertain the millions of fans from around the globe.

Whilst we are a historically significant city that divides two continents; our world today is global – it is not about East or West, North or South. It is about much more. It’s about providing the opportunity for people to share and understand different cultures and religions from around the world. It's about creating good will and acceptance. It’s about new regions of the world becoming a strong part of our world and helping us all to prosper. The Olympic Movement has the power to influence the course of our world and Istanbul wants to be the platform for change. We can be the bridge that unites the world.

In a time of global economic downturn, we maintain our position as one of the fastest growing economies throughout the world. We will provide the strength, stability and secure foundation that is needed to guarantee and deliver the IOC’s institutional and operational requirements. We are confident that the same forward thinking characteristic that is driving our economy will be portrayed within the organisational committee that will lead this bid.

We have listened and we have learned valuable lessons from our earlier bidding experience. Committed to delivering solutions to the issues that were previously raised by the IOC, we have invested heavily in increasing and improving our sporting facilities, as well as developing youth participation in sport at both mass and elite level. Recently we have successfully hosted international events such as the Basketball World Championships in 2010, as well as the European Youth Olympic Festival in Trabzon in July of this year.

Our most significant focus towards the Games is on our youth and the inspirations that drive them. Given that the average age in Turkey is 29, we want to leave a lasting legacy that will instil values from the Olympic Movement into the youth of today; not only in our own country, but throughout younger generations in all countries, throughout all religions and cultures.

Istanbul is ready for 2020!