Following a successful Formula One debut this weekend, Istanbul officials said Saturday that the city will continue its push to host the Olympic Games.
Turkey had two failed bids in 2008 and 2012, but believe that the preparation and organization displayed at the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix could pave the way for a successful Olympic bid.
Murat Yalcintas, chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce said, “I think that we showed with this organization that we are successful and now our aim is to have the Olympics in Turkey. After Formula One it is the biggest sporting event in the world”.
Facilities at the brand new $70 million Istanbul Park Circuit on the outskirts of the city have impressed the sports regulators.
But according to Turkish Press the traffic has been a problem, as have security concerns during the build-up to the race that forced the organizers to bring in 4,000 private security personnel as well as the army and police.
Yalcintas believes the spirit of Formula One must be carried into any future Olympic bid.
“It is something that pushes the person to the limits and the extremes of endeavour and we have to have a Formula One spirit in Turkey in the future”.
