Istanbul, a city straddling two continents, could help bridge East and West and contribute to world peace if it wins the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Those were the comments of Togay Bayatli, head of Turkey’s National Olympic Committee in an interview with the Associated Press.
Istanbul led unsuccessful bids for the 2000, 2004 and 2008 but officials say the city is in much better shape this time.
Bayatli said, “we are much more prepared this time. We are earnestly building up Istanbul”.
If Istanbul becomes 2012 host city, Turkey will allocate 584 hectares of land for an Olympic Village and is constructing an indoor athletic arena that seats 22,000 people. An 80,000-seat stadium was built when the city bid for the 2008 Games.
According to the Associated Press Istanbul’s bid faces key obstacles, including financial concerns, uncertainties about accommodation and chaotic traffic.
And there are also geographical problems because of Istanbul’s proximity to Athens Greece, the site of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
