Olympics: Games trio submit candidature files

PARIS: The three candidates to host the 2020 Olympics will take a huge step towards who will be designated the winner when they present their candidature files to the International Olympic Committee today. Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo will all be sending high profile delegations to hand over their dossiers and will be hoping the details meet with the approval of the majority of the 100 plus IOC members when they vote in September. The common perception has been that Istanbul has a fantastic chance to become the first country with a Muslim majority to host the Games, especially as it is situated on two continents. “The athletes will have the unique experience of sleeping on the European continent and competing on the Asian continent,” said their chief executive Hasan Arat.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2013.