The city's bid had slipped from favourites to third behind rivals Madrid and Tokyo following the anti-Government disturbances in the city which had spread across the country before they were curtailed.

But, following the 45 minute presentation to the IOC members in the Beaulieu Lausanne led by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, combined with the opportunity today to showcase their campaign at a special presentation booth here today, Istanbul are convinced that they can still win the bid.  


At their presentation booth, which was held alongside similar exhibitions from Madrid and Tokyo, Istanbul gave visitors an immersive 3D experience of the bid's Games Master Plan, transport concept and venues, using state-of-the-art mixed reality interface tables to demonstrate how purpose-built venue clusters would be woven into the fabric of the iconic city.

The presentation booth was also a forum for members of the Olympic Family, including IOC President Jacques Rogge, and the media to meet the leaders of some of Turkey's biggest international corporations.

Ali Koç of Koç Holding, Ferit Şahenk of Doğuş Holding and Temel Kotil of Turkish Airlines were in Lausanne to underline the support Istanbul 2020 enjoys from Turkey's thriving private sector.

The trio make up three of the seven Istanbul 2020 sponsors, who together have contributed $20 million to Istanbul 2020's campaign - representing the largest private-sector investment in any sports bid in Turkish history.


"This week has been a fantastic experience for me and my team," said Hasan Arat (pictured top), chairman of Istanbul 2020.

"I think we gave a compelling explanation of our vision for the 2020 Games and, most importantly, what the Games could achieve for the 31 million young people in Turkey and hundreds of millions more in the region and across the Olympic Movement.

"We also gave the Olympic Family some strong assurances about our ability to deliver this vision without risk.

"The positive responses and insightful feedback we have received has given us a big boost at a crucial moment.

"On Monday (July 8), we kick off the next phase of our campaign and begin building towards our own Olympic Final in Buenos Aires on 7 September."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2013: Istanbul skips over protests to highlight youth and economic vigour
June 2013: Exclusive - "What's a few minutes for a lifetime of memories," asks Arat as claims transport will not be problem for Istanbul 2020
June 2013: Istanbul 2020 moves to quash concerns over space restraints at Taksim Cluster
June 2013: IOC Evaluation Report points to potential problem for Istanbul 2020 with space at facilities in Taksim
June 2013: Mediterranean Games "rehearsal" for 2020 Olympics, claims Turkish Prime Minister