A little over seven months before the IOC's choice, scheduled for September 7, 2013 in Buenos Aires, FrancsJeux looks at the files of the three candidate cities. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their historical significance and the pea of their past... A review of details opened with the first of the three applicants, according to alphabetical order: Istanbul, capital of Turkey.
Economy – One of the major assets in the Istanbul game. At the end of 2012, the Istanbul economy reached a record level since the creation of the Istanbul Stock Exchange in 1985. Over the year as a whole, Turkish GDP grew by 5,2%, three and a half times more than the European average. Turkey does not know the crisis. Its capacity to assume the Olympic investment, announced at $5 billion, for sports venues alone, is now in no doubt.
Leaders – Istanbul 2020 has been led, since last May, by Hasan Arat. This former high-level basketball player, successfully converted to real estate, serves as vice-president of the Turkish National Olympic Committee. He has long shared the reins of the file with Ugur Erdener, the best-known sports leader in Turkey, who holds the mandates of president of the NOC, of the International Archery Federation and member of the IOC. The latter's role will be less visible during the last seven months of the campaign, but his influence remains decisive.
Symbolic – One of Istanbul’s strengths. Perhaps its best asset. The Turkish capital presents a triple symbolism: two continents (Europe and Asia), two civilizations (Europe and the West), three religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism). By choosing Istanbul, the IOC would offer the 2020 Summer Games to “the place where two worlds come together. »
Support – At the beginning of January, the Turkish candidacy ensured that it benefited from the support of 73% of the city’s inhabitants. A higher score than its two competitors. In his file, submitted to the IOC headquarters, there are letters of support from the Prime Minister, the National Assembly, the governor and the mayor of Istanbul.
Past – Unlike Spain and Japan, Turkey has never hosted the Summer Games. A particularity considered as an asset for Istanbul, given the IOC's desire to conquer new territories. This candidacy is the fifth in a row for the Turkish capital, after 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. It is, by far, the strongest. In 2012 alone, Turkey successfully organized the World Indoor Athletics Championships, the Short Course Swimming Championships, the Women's Tennis Masters and the Euroleague Basketball Final Four.
Geographical alternation – “In Istanbul, the sun rises every day over Europe and Asia at the same time. This will never happen anywhere else,” repeats Hasan Art to highlight the unique character of the Turkish candidacy, straddling two continents. A unique position which could, if Istanbul 2020 succeed, play a role in the race for the 2024 Summer Games. Europeans and Asians could indeed go there without fear of having to completely overcome the obstacle of the geographical alternation.
weaknesses – In its initial report, the IOC noted two dark spots: the slowness of transport, for a city of 16 million inhabitants, and the high proportion of competition venues to be built (25 out of 36). With a third bridge over the Bosphorus in 2015, an underwater RER to connect the two shores, and a new airport within 2 years, the Turks are overcoming the transport handicap. They also ensure that they have the money needed to build infrastructure. They will also have to resolve a thorny geopolitical issue: the conflict between Turkey and Syria. Long an ally of Bashar al-Assad, the Turkish government now supports opposition to the regime. The country has offered exile and protection to around 15 Syrian refugees.
The opinion of Francsjeux – Long portrayed as a distant outsider, Istanbul is approaching its fifth Olympic campaign with the look and manner of a potential winner. The youth of its population, the vitality of its economy, its now indisputable capacity to organize global sporting events, constitute all assets in its game. Turkey can also count on a form of exoticism (one country, two continents) , likely to appeal to the IOC. Its challenge: to ensure that its unique position between Europe and Asia, presented as an advantage, does not turn into a handicap.
