President Abdullah Gül has been in London on 23rd November 2011, where his passion for sport meant a visit to the UK capital’s newly completed Olympic Park was high on the agenda.

President Gül and his wife were welcomed to the Olympic Park by the UK’s Foreign Minister, William Hague, along with London 2012 Organising Committee officials and five Members of Parliament. Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Professor Ahmet Davutoglu was also present. The guided tour took in the top sites around the Park, including the striking velodrome – the first permanent venue to be completed, back in February. Turkey is a nation devoted to sport; for the President, the visit will have been an invaluable insight into what can be achieved when a nation that is eager to share its rich athletic heritage is able to host the ultimate sporting celebration.

Ahead of his visit, President Gül said:

‘In a harsh global climate, London 2012 has been a powerful stimulus for social development and urban regeneration in some of the most deprived areas of the city. I look forward to observing how the Organising Committee has harnessed the Games’ power to inspire the population; and used that power to create this wave of positive feeling and sustainable change. With less than one year to go before the Opening Ceremony, London is a very exciting place to be.’ President Gül’s visit comes just three weeks after the IOC Applicant City briefing in Lausanne, where Turkey launched its bid to host the Olympic Games through Istanbul 2020. The learning process is already intensifying, lead from the front by the highest echelons of Turkey’s government.