Bidding for the Games -- Bailey Backs Istanbul; Tokyo in Nanjing

(ATR) Former 100m world record holder Donovan Bailey has expressed support for Istanbul’s Olympics bid and praised Turkey’s crackdown on doping in sport.

Bailey, who won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, successfully grabbed the Turkish record for the 4x100m relay in Istanbul in 1994. He lived in the city while competing in Europe.

Speaking in Moscow, where he is commentating on the IAAF World Championships for the BBC, Bailey explained why he was backing Turkey’s fifth attempt to land the Games.

"I love the place, I love the people and I had an amazing time when I was there. This is one of the greatest places to visit as a tourist now. I've been recommending people to visit there for years," he said.

"It's the perfect balance - you get the best of both worlds, Asia and Europe, the mix of cultures. It was cool waking up in Europe and heading over the bridge every morning to train in Asia."

Bailey also praised the country’s recent efforts to root out the doping cheats from Turkish sport.

Last week, the Turkish Athletics Federation announced doping bans for 31 track and field athletes today. All are suspended for two years for testing positive for banned substances. Three and possibly more of those banned are known to have taken part in the London Olympics. In total, at least 50 Turkish athletes have now failed drugs tests since the start of the year.

"When I was there, there was no evidence of widespread drug use. Now the government is investing properly in the grassroots and elite level training, sourcing the best coaches and expert advice to my understanding," he said.

"Based on the government programme that I understand is in place right now, I have to believe that doping will not be an issue in Turkey by 2020," he added. "Every positive test is a positive result – it's a battle won. Turkey has identified the problem, they've acknowledged it to the world and they are taking steps to put it right."

Istanbul 2020 declined to say whether Bailey would be part of its support team at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires. The IOC vote on the 2020 host city is on Sept. 7

Also this week, the Turkish bid is represented at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing and in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games Assembly.

Tokyo Praises Asian Youth Games Concept

Bid president Tsunekazu Takeda was lobbying for support at the 2nd Asian Youth Games in Nanjing this week.

Speaking at site of next year's Youth Olympic Games, the Japanese IOC member praised the concept of the Asian Youth Games, saying it offered an exciting glimpse at what the world's youngest athletes offer the Olympic Movement.

Takeda also underlined that Tokyo is the Asian city that bridges east and west with the world's biggest urban population.

"This is why Tokyo 2020 is the right Games at the right time for the Olympic Movement, offering a safe pair of hands that can be trusted to deliver superb Games in these uncertain times," he said.

"A Games that enthuses young people about sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Takeda added, "In Japan and Asia, the sport market is growing. Our continent is composed of both strong developed economies and rapidly growing markets, maximizing the commercial potential of the Tokyo 2020 Games. This dynamic atmosphere in Asia is clear for all to see at the Asian Youth Games."

Madrid Working Hard

The Spanish bid tells Around the Rings its team is working hard on rehearsals for the final presentation to IOC members at the Session in Buenos Aires in three weeks.

Bid president Alejandro Blanco will be on the campaign trail in Brazil for the judo world championships from Aug. 22.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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