Following Turkey’s surprise bid for the Euro 2020 candidacy, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) source said Sunday the IOC has held talks with Istanbul 2020 officials.
Reuters reports there are concerns over whether Turkey can host both events within two months.
The source said on condition of anonymity, “it is understood that Istanbul has already had discussions with the IOC on Turkey’s capacity and capability to host two major events in the same year. If the IOC administration in Lausanne gives the green light to this notion, then Istanbul has 15 months to sell this unique prospect to the members.
It is clear that Istanbul and Turkey are coming to terms with the fact that Turkey may win the UEFA 2020 European Championship by default”.
May 15 is the deadline for expression of interest in Euro 2020 and under UEFA’s guidelines Turkey would be awarded Euro 2020 if it remained the sole bidder.
Meanwhile the IOC, which is electing the host city for the 2020 Summer Games in September 2013, has not publicly commented on Turkey’s decision to bid for Euro 2020, but Reuters reports officials have privately aired their concerns that it will be difficult, if not impossible, for a country to stage two of the world’s biggest sports events in the same summer.
The source added, “however, as Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games remains a national priority in Turkey, it is clear that Istanbul will now need to change its message to the IOC”.
