Olympics: Tokyo, Istanbul locked in 2020 race

PARIS: The race to host the 2020 Summer Olympics threatens to be a cliff-hanger between Tokyo and Istanbul, according to a source close to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The source said the 100-plus IOC members face an unenviable choice when they vote in Buenos Aires on September 7 next year in what will be the final host city decision taken under the presidency of Jacques Rogge, whose successor is elected on September 10.

"Tokyo would still be ahead as there are no worries about their ability to complete the work required on time and with the financing of the Games," said the source. "Istanbul on the other hand has steadily built up momentum, it has somehow managed to ride out the storm over also bidding to host the Euro 2020 championship and has serious appeal.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2012.