ISTANBUL (AA) - March 28, 2013 - Hasan Arat, chairman of the Istanbul 2020 Bid Committee, has said that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission's review in regards to Istanbul's 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics candidacy was "very positive".
Stating that Turkish President Abdullah Gul made the opening remarks of the meeting where over 140 panelists attended the examination of Istanbul under 14 themes, Arat said, "ministers, undersecretaries, CEOs, sports men and women and representatives from the private sector and non-governmental organizations were present during the meeting. We spent highly important four days."
Reminding that the visit to the Ataturk Olympic Stadium took place via the Kirazli-Olympiad Park subway, which isn't open to public yet, Arat stated that the commission said, "Europe even doesn't have a subway station at this quality and technical level."
"The main issue is our Olympiad Park. The preservation of the Olympiad Park yielded good results. Istanbul has completed this stage successfully in my opinion. We have to continue working hard for upcoming stages," Arat said.
Stating that political and public support for Istanbul's 2020 bid was higher compared to Tokyo and Madrid, Arat said, "The government, Turkish president, prime minister, opposition parties, support of Turkish people, business world and NGOs all contribute to Istanbul's candidacy."
Reporting by Ercan Cakar
