Bidding cities making pitches to IOC session

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Bidding cities making pitches to IOC session

(Xinhua) 09:30, September 08, 2013

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The three cities bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics - Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo - delivered their final presentations Saturday ahead of the vote by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the Olympics will have better effect on a broader scope should it be hosted in Istanbul.

"If the Olympic Games is hosted in Turkey where the population is predominated by Muslim, this will send a very meaningful and strong message not only to Muslim but also to a broader region that so needs peace," Erdogan said.

He also highlighted young people's role in promoting the Olympic Movement.

"History tells us the Olympic Movement is more powerful when it inspires youth," the prime minister said.

"As a nation who have a very young and dynamic population, the children and young people will present a different, more developed, prosperous Turkey enjoying even greater democratic standard in the next seven years," he added.

Erdogan also stressed Istanbul's geographic and historic advantage in hosting the games.

"The Istanbul Olympic Games will be the bridge to link the past with the present and the present with the future as well as linking continents, cultures and civilization," the prime minister said.

"Let's build the bridge together and let's make history together," he added.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe believes that "choosing Tokyo 2020 means choosing a new powerful booster of the Olympic Movement".

He promised the 103 IOC members a stronger commitment in the Olympic Movement based on the country's economic advantages.

"Japanese will go out to the world in even larger numbers," he said.

"We will help build schools, bring equipment and create sports education programs," he added.

Abe tried his best to dismiss concerns on the Fukushima nuclear leak.

"Let me assure you that station is under control. It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo," said the prime minister.

Madrid were the last to put their case.

"Madrid has perhaps the most reasonable and responsible financial foundation in recent Olympic history," Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said. "We can host the Olympics in 2020 with no risk to the Olympic movement."

Crown Prince Felipe, a former Olympic sailor and Spain's flag-bearer at the 1992 Barcelona Games, said holding the games during difficult economic times is an "opportunity" for the country. He called the bid "both affordable and a responsible model for the future."