The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is due to make its decision at its Session in Buenos Aires on September 7 and Arat is increasingly confident that they can beat rivals Tokyo and Madrid.

"I feel very positive," said Arat.

"We have full confidence and I can see when I am travelling that Istanbul is doing very well.

"I see that Istanbul is picking up, we are on track, because our bid is a fantastic bid.

"Our story is a fantastic story."

Anti-Government disturbances in the city which had spread across the country had dented Istanbul's hopes but the fact that the disturbances appear to have stopped has allowed Turkish officials to regroup and close the gap on Madrid and Tokyo.

Arat claimed that is a testament to the quality of their campaign.


"It is like a good team: they sometimes have ups and downs but, in the end, they are a good team," he said.

"Our bid is a good bid.

"Istanbul and Turkey really gives a big opportunity to the young people of the region and people can dream.

"That is a big opportunity for the Olympic Movement.

"The Olympic Movement can create history again.

"Two continents, one city, the youngest population in the region - we have a lot of firsts.

"We are ready: economically, physically, mentally.

"Our country is ready.

"Our city is ready."

Arat claimed public support for the bid has climbed to 94 per cent among Istanbul residents, according to its own survey two months ago, which would have been just before the protests started.

The support is significantly higher than the 83 per cent in a poll by the IOC earlier this year - which compared favourably with 76 per cent for Madrid and 70 per cent for Tokyo - but Arat predicted it could climb even higher by the time of the vote.

"The support is very strong and remaining positive," Arat said.

"We have the highest results from the IOC poll.

"It will increase more before Buenos Aires."

The anti-Government protests were nothing to do with negative reactions to the Olympics, unlike in Brazil where there have been demonstrations against the cost of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Rio 2016, Arat claimed.

"When it comes to the national things people support Turkey," said Arat.

"We are a very passionate nation.

"We understand the value of the Olympic Games, which is why it is so important for us."


Arat also took the opportunity of his quick visit here on his way to the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona to praise the success of last year's Olympics and Paralympics in London.

"It's a particularly exciting time for us to be in London this week, because it's the first anniversary of what, for me, was one of the greatest Games in history," he said.

"So much of our work was inspired by London 2012. In many ways last summer's Games was a turning point for our bid.

"So we're grateful to Lord Coe and his team for inspiring us, and for setting us a new benchmark of excellence.

"Legacy is a hot topic right now.

"It's hard to measure - but I know what I want the headlines to be in August 2021: that Istanbul 2020 had a profound impact on the city; on the region; and on the entire Olympic Movement."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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