POSTED: 2012-06-14 09:06:14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
June 14 – Over 100,000 people came out to celebrate National Olympic Day festivals taking place across the country on Sunday organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and head of the NOC, Professor Uğur Erdener, said, “It has been incredible to see the passion that young people, in Istanbul and all across Turkey, feel for the Olympic Movement.
“To see Turkey united by a celebration of the values of Olympism shows the world that Turkey wants the 2020 Games - it is a huge boost for our Bid.”
The cities of Balıkesir, Denizli, Eskişehir, İstanbul, Kocaeli, Konya, Mersin and Rize were at the forefront leading the celebrations that Samsung sponsored.
Hasan Arat, leader of the Istanbul 2020 bid, said, “Anyone who has been to a sports event in Turkey before will know that our people love their sport. During the National Olympic Day celebrations, that enthusiasm gripped the entire nation.
“This weekend’s buzz is just a taste of what the 2020 Games in Istanbul could inspire - just imagine athletes, sports fans and nations across the world celebrating the same way Turkey did on Sunday.”
The Olympic Day Run took place and all the participants that finished the race received a certificate signed by IOC President, Dr. Jacques Rogge, and Prof. Erdener.
Istanbul is competing against Madrid and Tokyo to host the 2020 Olympic Games. The final decision will take place on September 7th in Buenos Aires at the IOC Session.
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