33 replies to this topic

[AK30]

When considering all the bids, I dont understand how Istanbul could not be outright favourite to host the 2020 games.

If you look at the other bids and some of their disadvantages;

Madrid - big disadvantages are economic worries, (member of the P.I.G.S)...not to mention the 1992 games, which can be still considered recent

Rome - another member of P.I.G.S...has been a host before and lets not forget Turin 2006 (Winter games)

Tokyo - has hosted before, recovering from recent large scale natural disasters, winter games 2018 in Asia, 2020 europe's turn?

Doha - very doubtful, world cup 2022

Baku - dont think will be awarded candidacy

The top 3 are great cities, more then capable of hosting, however if we are to consider Istanbul.

fifth recent bid

recent successful hosting of large international events - formula 1, football finals, world basketball champ, WTA tennis champ. just to name a few.

Then if you are to consider the strong government backing, Turkey's economic boom, completed stadiums, huge investment in infrastructure including airports, trains, tunnels, first predominately Muslim host, continuation of new frontiers (post Rio). Considering all that, I dont know how the IOC could ignore Turkey a 6th time. I think the only threat would be an ongoing terror threat which really can be found anywhere.

So with all that to consider i would be surprised if the IOC did not take this opportunity to show the world east and west through sport can work for peace at a time when it is required most, the obvious choice is Istanbul.

[Athensfan]

Italy, Spain and Japan all have richer sporting legacies than Turkey. They also have more prestigious history with the IOC and more experience hosting major sporting events. Rightly or wrongly, they are also generally regarded as safer countries that are less vulnerable to terrorism.

I find Istanbul the most intriguing of the bids, but I think the candidates are all too strong to pronounce anyone a favorite at this early date.

[AK30]

Italy, Spain and Japan all have richer sporting legacies than Turkey. They also have more prestigious history with the IOC and more experience hosting major sporting events. Rightly or wrongly, they are also generally regarded as safer countries that are less vulnerable to terrorism.

I find Istanbul the most intriguing of the bids, but I think the candidates are all too strong to pronounce anyone a favorite at this early date.

That is true, however i think the disadvantages i've listed carry much more weight then sporting legacies or history with IOC. And by now it is evident FIFA and IOC are more interested in exploring new frontiers or some might life to argue chase the $$$ then consider sporting legacies...ie FIFA - Russia 2018 Qatar 2022....IOC Beijing 2008 Rio 2016

[intoronto]

I am interested what does "P.I.G.S" stand for?

[Sir Rols]

I am interested what does "P.I.G.S" stand for?

Portugal Italy Greece and Spain

[baron-pierreIV]

Portugal Italy Greece and Spain

I thought the "I" was Ireland since Ireland, altho a smaller economy, was in more dire straits than Italy--not unless it was a Mediterranean sweep.

[Athan]

It seems that at the very beginning the "I" was Italy. Then, Ireland joined us and we became the "PIIGS", but we're still called "PIGS"... BTW, who invented that name? It's actually quite insulting!

recent successful hosting of large international events - formula 1, football finals, world basketball champ, WTA tennis champ. just to name a few.

But that's not only Turkey. Spain and Japan have hosted all these events too, and also Italy (with the exception of the basketball world championships).

[Athensfan]

That is true, however i think the disadvantages i've listed carry much more weight then sporting legacies or history with IOC. And by now it is evident FIFA and IOC are more interested in exploring new frontiers or some might life to argue chase the $$$ then consider sporting legacies...ie FIFA - Russia 2018 Qatar 2022....IOC Beijing 2008 Rio 2016

At some point new frontier fatigue will set in. I think Africa might have proved impossible to resist -- Turkey far less so. China and Brazil are far bigger economic presences and athletic powerhouses than Turkey. Russia is one of the worlds strongest nations and Qatar bought 2022. Istanbul isn't a great parallel for any of the above.

All the bidding nations have their problems to overcome. I don't see Istanbul in a better position than Madrid, Rome or Tokyo. I actually think Japan has the best chance of overcoming their hurdles. The strikes against them are PC 2018 and a lack of IOC representation. Those are big considerations, but if you forced me to make a prediction right now, I'd still probably say Tokyo.

[AK30]

Athan,

The point of mentioning Turkey hosting those events was that in the past that was Turkey's biggest disadvantage..(not hosting large events) but that is changing now. I know the others have hosted events.

Athensfan

I think giving the games to a muslim host can be just as hard to resist as Africa, however one other disadvantage would be the fear of giving the games to a country that has never hosted before and may not cope. Sort of like Athens 2004 and how much Greece struggled. But i think by building stadiums before hand Turkey has decreased the IOC's fear of another Greek tragedy.

[RobH]

The point of mentioning Turkey hosting those events was that in the past that was Turkey's biggest disadvantage..(not hosting large events)

But i think by building stadiums before hand Turkey has decreased the IOC's fear of another Greek tragedy.

I thought the biggest disadvantage was the logistics and spread of venues. The main stadium is miles away from anywhere, the transport - whilst improving - isn't as good as its rivals and especially for a city of its size (though I did find the trams to be efficient when I was there last week). It's a massive and chaotic city and I could see the Games being a huge logistical challenge. It's not a compact city like Doha, and it's not yet a modern, efficient and navigable city like Tokyo. It's somewhere in between, and that makes things difficult.

Hosting new events is great, but I think there are bigger worries for Istanbul, which means it's not the favourite.