$20 Million Deal for Istanbul; Handball Chief Likes Madrid

$20 Million Deal for Istanbul

Istanbul 2020 bid leader Hasan Arat tells Around the Rings the unveiling of seven sponsors Monday underlines Turkey's potential to deliver significant revenues if awarded Olympic hosting rights.

Adding a collective $20 million-plus to the bidding fund are Digiturk, Doğuş Holding, Koç Holding, Sabancı Holding, Turkcell, Turkish Airlines and Ülker.

Arat said the fact that some of Turkey's largest companies had thrown their support behind the bid was a "great step" for the campaign.

"I think the Olympic Movement should take great confidence that Turkey will be able to deliver significant amounts of tier one and two sponsors should we win the right to host the Games in 2020. That is very important," he told ATR.

More sponsors are expected to back the bid in the coming weeks and months, but the next major focus is preparations for the visit of the IOC Evaluation Commission in March.

Saying preparations were "very good", he added: "We are working very hard for the evaluation commission visit."

Handball Chief Likes Madrid

International Handball Federation president Hassan Moustafa rates highly Spain's hosting of theongoing 2013 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship.Madrid is one of six cities hosting competition.

"The organisation has been excellent," Moustafa said in a statement. "All our requirements were met and the atmosphere has been incredible.

"That’s not just my opinion. I can also speak for the players, the referees and the support staff. We are delighted to be in Spain and especially here in Madrid," he added.

Madrid’s venue was changed from Madrid Arena to the Caja Magica, but Moustafa said that had no impact on the championships.

"The decision to change the venue to the Caja Magica was exactly right," he said. "I knew I could trust [Spanish Olympic Committee president] Alejandro Blanco when he said it would be best. The facilities here meant that everything turned out perfectly. Not just for the teams but for the spectators too."

Madrid is bidding against Istanbul and Tokyo for rights to the 2020 Olympics, a decision to be taken Sept. 7 at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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