i THE NATIONAL YOUTH AND SPORTS POLICY DOCUMENT ...

weather conditions that games coincide with, accommodation opportunities, security plan,health plan, transportation plans, rate of public support, capacity and experience of thecountry in international sports and other organizations, sports tradition, the size ofgovernmental support etc. are taken into consideration.In terms of such criteria, Istanbul presents unique opportunities and its deficiencies arebeing eliminated rapidly.The historical and cultural wealth of Istanbul, which was the capital of three empires,where people from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds live in harmony and which hashad a metropolitan characteristic for centuries is unquestionably at the highest level whencompared with other candidate cities. The city, where cultures and civilizations have cometogether, is the only city which is geographically located on two continents and which hasbecome a “bridge” between Asia and Europe and the East and the West.With its dynamic population, the reason for Turkey’s being a candidate to host theOlympics is not only financial and economic gain which will be provided by Olympics, butalso to raise athletic generations.Neither Olympic Games have ever been organized in the region Turkey is represented,nor have any of the Muslim societies organized the games until now. The only candidate citywhich gives a chance to organize the Olympic Games which is a philosophy and a lifestyleaiming at worldyouth’s education, development, friendship, fellowship, mutualunderstanding and solidarity and finally peace by means of sports without makingdiscrimination of religion, language, race or gender, in a Muslim society is Istanbul.In line with the investments made and organizational power, between 2002-2012Turkey hosted a total of 251 international organizations which are the biggest organizations ofworld sports in the recent years such as 2005 Istanbul UEFA Champions League Final, 2005Izmir World Inter-University Summer Games (Universiade), 2007 Trabzon Black Sea Games,2011 World Basketball Championships, 2011 Erzurum World Inter-University Winter Games,2011 Trabzon European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), 2011 Istanbul WTA WomenTennis Championships, 2012 Istanbul World Saloon Athletics Championships etc.Preparations to organize such great sports events will also continue from now on.POLICIES1. Carrying out work towards candidacy of Istanbul for the Olympic andParalympic games.Targets73