Mersin is "Excellent Template" for Istanbul 2020

Mediterranean Games draw 95,000 fans by halfway point; athletics starts today

Mersin, Turkey; 26 June 2013: Istanbul 2020’s promise to deliver a technically excellent platform for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020 and to introduce the Olympic Movement’s values to new audiences has been reinforced by Mersin’s successful hosting to date of the 2013 Mediterranean Games.

Istanbul 2020’s construction agency, TOKI, has proved its credentials in delivering Mersin’s Games infrastructure on time and on budget by helping organisers compress the usual six-year preparation time into just 18 months. Games organisers have also had sufficient time to build up regional and continental enthusiasm for the Games as almost 100,000 people have already attended 28 events so far.

Professor Ugur Erdener, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey, said:

"The delivery of Mersin 2013’s robust Games platform in such a comparatively short time has rightly drawn much praise from the media and the Olympic Family as well as fans and athletes here in Mersin.

"But it is not just in bricks and mortar that the Organising Committee, under the leadership of the Minister of Youth and Sport, Suat Kilic, has excelled. Naturally they have had much less time to publicise these Games than normal but I have seen stadia at full capacity with fans turning out to watch Turkish and foreign athletes alike. The athletes here have access to top-quality facilities to help them reach their personal best and their superb performances are adding to the excitement for all fans.

"The Turkish government provided a significant budget for these Games compared with previous editions and this shows how committed Turkey is to organising first-class events and to hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mersin will prove to be an excellent template for Istanbul 2020, if our bid is victorious."

Mersin 2013’s Organising Committee lowered ticket prices before the Games to ensure the city’s new facilities and ambitious sport vision are seen by as many people as possible. The first six days of the Games confirm this aim is being achieved. The Opening Ceremony was attended by 25,000 people and there have been full-capacity crowds at venues such as for basketball and volleyball. Athletics starts today at the 3,000-capacity Athletics Complex and will end on Saturday, the penultimate day of the Games.

Muhammed Adak, Deputy General Coordinator of the Mediterranean Games, said:

"The number of spectators is good. As an Organising Committee we are very happy about this.

"We lowered the price of tickets because there has been a large investment in facilities and we wanted to make sure people come and see them and to instil a sports mentality amongst the city’s youth.

"These Games are about Olympism and sharing a sports vision with the Mediterranean people. We’ve installed high-quality venues with great technology and this will benefit the city for years – the Athletes’ Village for example will be a university dormitory for 3,500 people after the Games."

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

20 Years at #1: