FRESH THINKING….NEW INSIGHTS…SPORTS EVENT MANAGEMENT ‘09

TURKEY CONFIRMS 2020 OLYMPIC BID AT SPORTS EVENT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE ‘09

“We strongly believe we are going to have the best bid for 2020” – Mehmet Atalay

London, November 11, 2009 – A senior Turkish sports official confirmed that Istanbul will bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, speaking at the Sports Event Management Conference in London.

Government sports official Mehmet Atalay believes that Turkey has learnt from former Olympic bids and is confident of convincing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that 2020 will be the right time to award the Games to Istanbul.

Atalay said: “We strongly believe that we are going to have the best bid for 2020. Istanbul has changed a lot and we feel much more confident to be in a race with other cities. Turkey is a big country and it has much potential for hosting such events. We have the history. We have the culture. We are the bridge between Europe and Asia.”

Turkey has recently hosted high profile sports events such as the 2005 Champions League final and is set to stage the 2010 World Basketball Championships, 2011 Winter University Games and 2012 World Indoor Athletics Championships.

Senior Turkish officials have travelled the world to learn what was needed to be competitive for an Olympic bid, with Turkey making unsuccessful attempts to win the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Atalay added: “Infrastructure-wise, Istanbul has improved a lot. Transportation has improved. Weather pollution is almost finished. It's one of the most secure cities in Europe. We are getting experience at organizing major events.

“Like London we have the history, the culture and the organisational experience. Also, we are the bridge between Europe and Asia and the proof is that different cultures and different religions live side by side in a friendly environment.

“We decided not to bid for 2016 while we concentrated on trying to make sure we had everything in place to launch a serious attempt for 2020. We think that if we keep pursuing this goal then, ultimately, we will achieve it.”

Sports Event Management ’09 is considered a key event for representatives of national and international sports governing bodies, specialist event management companies, local authorities, stadium and facility owners and operators, media companies, sports marketing agencies and the companies who provide the technology, infrastructure and services which make events tick.

Attendees this year included: Sir Craig Reedie (Member of the International Olympic Committee Executive Board); Paul Deighton (Chief Executive Officer, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games); HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani (Secretary General, Qatar Olympic Committee); Sandy Hollway AO (CEO of Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games); Francis Tellier (CEO, Host Broadcast Services – FIFA broadcast partners); John Parker (Managing Director, Match Services A.G. – Tour Operator Programme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup TM); Paul Williamson (Head of Ticketing, London 2012) and Steve Elworthy (Tournament Director for the ICC World Twenty20 England 2009).

This was the fourth Sports Event Management Conference and Awards with next year’s event scheduled for November 3 and 4.

- ENDS -

Sports Event Management 2009
Tuesday 10th November 2009, Shaw Theatre, Novotel, St Pancras, London, UK
www.sportseventmanagement.com
+44 (0)1264 852 016

For further press information contact:
David Alexander +44 (0) 7802-412424

For further information regarding the Sports Event Management Conference please contact: 

Nicola Fleming
Tel: +44(0)1264 852 016
Fax: +44(0)1264 852 011
E-mail: nicola@rushmans.com

Photography available on request