Turkey Touts Credit Upgrade
Istanbul 2020 says Turkey’s recent credit rating upgrade underlines the financial security behind its Olympic bid.
Credit ratings agency Fitch cited Turkey’s sound banking system, favorable growth prospects and diverse economy in its decision to upgrade the country to Investment Grade.
"This new rating underscores Turkey’s rapidly increasing importance on the world stage and cements Istanbul’s position as a global events capital," bid leader Hasan Arat said Tuesday.
"Istanbul offers the Olympic Movement a very special combination: the safety and security of a mature market, but with a long way to go before we reach our full potential. This announcement proves that Turkey is no longer ‘emerging’ – it has emerged."
After showing 8.5 percent growth last year, Turkey’s economy is widely considered the fastest growing in Europe.
Public Support Up for Tokyo
Tokyo 2020 touts a 67 percent approval rating among residents, according to the bid’s latest public opinion poll.
The survey, conducted from Oct. 10 to 22 over 400 phone interviews, shows an increase of one percentage point from August, nine points from July, and 20 points from the 47 percent support indicated in the IOC’s own results revealed May 24.
"Japan’s passion for sports is strong, and excitement for the Games in Tokyo in 2020 is constantly growing," reads a Tuesday statement from Tokyo 2020.
"In a democracy like Japan public support is earned day by day, and we have no doubt that support figures will continue to increase in the coming weeks and months."
According to Tokyo 2020, more than 8.5 million people in Tokyo and more than 80 million in Japan want the Olympics.
Bid Cities to Macau
Around the Rings is on the scene in Macau for this week's General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo are each sending senior delegations for the occasion.
Click here for a preview of the Congress, and stay tuned to ATR for complete coverage.
Written by Matthew Grayson
For general comments or questions, click here
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