Istanbul 2020 (Turkish: ) was a bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics by the city of Istanbul and the Turkish Olympic Committee.
History
Applicant City phase
The Turkish Olympic Committee (TMOK) announced the selection of Istanbul as Turkey's candidate on July 7, 2011. Turkey's candidacy was announced officially by Prime Minister Erdogan on August 13, 2011.
Hasan Arat, who heads Istanbul 2020 Bid committee, was optimistic about the city's fifth bid, stating that over the past several years the city has seen the development of new venues and infrastructure improvements. He also stated that Turkey's fast growing economy could also greatly benefit the bid.
In January 2012, Istanbul 2020 sent a delegation to the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck to help promote the bid.
In March 2012, Istanbul successfully hosted the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships, which was seen as a positive step forward for Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Olympics.
In March 2012, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey is also interested in bidding to host the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship. Turkey bid to host UEFA Euro 2016 but lost to France by one vote. In April 2012, Turkey submitted a bid to host the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship. Istanbul 2020 has stated that the Olympic bid still had the support of the government. On May 8, 2012, IOC President Jacques Rogge stated that if Istanbul was to be awarded the 2020 Olympics that they would have to withdraw as hosts of UEFA Euro 2020. IOC rules state that an Olympic host nation may not host another major sporting event in the country in the same year as the Olympics. While it initially looked like Turkey would be the sole bidder for UEFA Euro 2020, two other bids for the event have also been submitted. A joint bid among Ireland, Scotland and Wales was submitted. In addition, a bid from Azerbaijan and Georgia was also submitted.
Candidate City phase
On May 23, 2012, the IOC Selected Istanbul as a Candidate City for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Right after being shortlisted as a candidate city, it was announced that the Vice President of the Turkish Olympic Committee Hasan Arat would serve as the head of Istanbul's bid for the 2020 Olympics.
In July 2012, the bid received the endorsement of American Olympic gold-medalist Mark Spitz who won a total of nine Olympic gold medals between 1968 and 1972. The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the London 2012 Olympics.
At the end of May 2012, it was announced that a third bridge over the Bosphorus would be built. This bridge will help to ease traffic in the city should Istanbul be successful in being awarded the 2020 Olympics. The bridge was set to open by 2015, and was part of the original application. The Istanbul Metro has 58 stations in service, with 23 more under construction.
It was announced in December 2012 that the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship would be held throughout Europe rather than being held among one or two host nations. This decision, therefore, eliminated the potential conflict Turkey would have had due to that fact they had bids to host the Olympics and the UEFA Championship in the same year.
In December 2012, Istanbul hosted the 2012 FINA Short Course World Championships at the Sinan Erdem Dome.
Istanbul 2020 submitted its candidature file to the IOC on January 7, 2013. The IOC Evaluation Commission visited Istanbul from March 24 to March 27, 2013. On March 25 Istanbul 2020 revealed the bid's slogan, "Bridge Together". The slogan represents how Istanbul is a city that is located on two continents.
In April 2013, Tokyo 2020 Chairman Naoki Inose created controversy when he made a comment that was seen as a criticism of Istanbul and their bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Inose was quoted saying, “Well, compare the two countries where they have yet to build infrastructure, very sophisticated facilities. So from time to time, like in Brazil, I think it's good to have a venue for the first time. But Islamic countries, the only thing they share in common is Allah and they are fighting with each other and they have classes.” Criticizing rival bids are forbidden under IOC rules. Following Inose's statement, Tokyo 2020 made a statement saying that they "have the utmost respect for all candidate cities and have always taken pride in bidding in a spirit based on the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship.” Inose apologized for his comments a few days later and stated that he was "fully committed" to respecting IOC rules.