While Istanbul's campaign report is, for the most part, overwhelmingly positive, the IOC raised concerns over the space available to house the necessary amenities at the area, which has been at the centre of global attention since anti-Government riots erupted at the end of May.

"With the exception of the Taksim Precinct [Cluster], there is generous space around all venues to accommodate the required Olympic facilities," read the dossier released today by the Evaluation Commission that visited the Turkish city in March this year.

However, Istanbul 2020 has defended its plans for the site, which is scheduled to host rugby sevens and weightlifting if it is awarded the Games, and insists the statement does not highlight any problem but serves more to reflect "the generous space around the Games venues generally".

"The Taksim Cluster will host the rugby sevens at the İnönü Stadium and the weightlifting at the Congress Valley Auditorium," said an Istanbul 2020 spokesman.

"Both are proven venues and regularly operate at full capacity throughout the year.

"Istanbul 2020 venue plans as submitted to the IOC have clearly demonstrated the feasibility of both venues with provision of all Games time space allocations which meet IOC requirements."


The 32,000-capacity İnönü Stadium, which is Beşiktaş Football Club's home ground, is currently undergoing substantial renovation work and Istanbul 2020 said that the ground frequently attracts capacity crowds with not operational problems.

The Congress Valley Auditorium, which hosted the 2009 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Conference , is also set to be upgraded but already hosts 5,000-strong capacity audiences for major concerts and events with no challenges, according to the bid team.

Istanbul 2020 added that there is also an additional media facility at the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre in Taksim Square.

Meanwhile, bid chairman Hasan Arat welcomed the IOC report.

"This report confirms that Istanbul's bid is firmly on track and we are grateful for the time and diligence that Sir Craig Reedie, Gilbert Felli and all the Evaluation Commission team have taken in preparing this comprehensive report," he said.

"We particularly welcome the IOC's clear endorsement of Istanbul's unique strengths.

"The report has highlighted many of our key assets, in particular, our robust and proven delivery solution and the significant Government, private sector and general public support for the Games.

"In fact the IOC Survey found that 83 per cent of Istanbul residents (c.11 million people) want the Games, and Istanbul 2020's latest independent survey found that 94 per cent of Turkey's population want the Games."

Istanbul is bidding alongside Tokyo and Madrid for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, and the Evaluation Commission said the cities had all presented projects "which are all of an extremely high level".

The winning city will be revealed at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires on September 7 this year.

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