On the Scene -- Istanbul 2020 Says Time is Right

(ATR) Istanbul delivers a straightforward appeal for the 2020 Olympics that stresses a link to youth and the magic of a Games on two continents.

"A decision today to host the Olympics in Turkey, the land of youth, and 8,000 year-old city of tolerance and peace where continents meet will truly embody the Olympic spirit," Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the IOC.

He said the Olympics in Istanbul will be the bridge to link the past with the present, the present with the future and will span cultures and religions.

"Come, let us build bridges together. Come, let us make history together."

Erdogan was the only member of the presentation team to speak in Turkish. Although he did not refer to the protests which have rocked his country or the turmoil in neighboring Syria in his speech, he greeted the IOC with "Salaam," which he said means peace.

"We live at a time when our region and the world crave for peace. And at this critical moment, we would like to send a strong message of peace to the whole world from Istanbul, city of peace and brotherhood."

This is the fifth time Istanbul has bid for the Olympics, having also bid in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

After a presentation lasting about 49 minutes -- four over the limit – there were four tough questions for the bid team on doping, games plan, transport and how the Games will affect the entire region.

"We didn’t hide anything," bid chairman Hasan Arat said at the press conference.

"We answered the questions very good."

In the presentation, Arat said his team would explain how Istanbul would "deliver certainty and excellence." He emphasized that there is an Olympic law in place to fully empower the organizing committee at all levels of government."

Deputy prime minister Ali Babacan added that Turkey is going to be among the top 10 economies in the world and spoke of the 4.8 million jobs created and the low youth unemployment rate.

"Istanbul delivers a financially responsibility choice to the IOC," he said.

Ugur Erdener, IOC member and president of the National Olympic Committee, alluded to the recent doping scandal by saying, "We will continue to enforce our zero tolerance policy ondoping."

However, he rambled when asked in the Q&A period why there was such a high number of positives.

There were nine presenters, three female: NOC secretary general Nese Gundogen and two athletes.

"We are energized well educated and globally minded," said tennis player Cagla Buyukakcay. "We grew up in this melting spot of freedom and democracy. We believe we can change the world."

Four films were part of the presentation.

The first two rows were filled with 50 young athletes, representing how nearly 50 percent of the Turkish population is under age 25.

"We ask of you from the depths of our souls," Arat said, "on behalf of this young generation.

"The Olympic Movement is most powerful when it shapes the evolution of a region.

"Voting for Istanbul is voting to write a new chapter in the rich history of the Olympic Movement. It is a chance to move forward at a time when the world needs hope."

Written and reported by Karen Rosen.

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