Istanbul Fashion Week Boosts 2020 Bid Ahead of IOC Visit

Istanbul Fashion Week is helping to set the stage for the IOC Evaluation Commission’s visit to the city, impotent according to the bid chairman.

The IOC are due to visit Istanbul on 24 March to see the credentials of the city’s bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games.

Istanbul Fashion Week is an international showcase for Turkish designers such as Tanju Babacan and runs until this Saturday, eight days before the IOC are due to land in the city.

Hasan Arat, Chairman of Istanbul 2020 believes the fashion week will help his city’s bid.

Arat said: “Istanbul Fashion Week brings the city alive and the buzz it creates is the ideal scene-setter for the IOC Evaluation Commission’s arrival next week. Once again, Istanbul has provided a dramatic backdrop for a world-class event.

“Fashion Week reflects Istanbul’s diverse culture as well as the creative and innovative talent that exists within our very youthful population. This is a message we will be repeating to the IOC next week.”

Professor Ugur Erdener, IOC member and President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey agreed with Arat and added: “Istanbul’s ability to attract world stars is a further sign that Turkey’s lure as an entertainment hub resonates throughout the world. Turkey’s dream is to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“During the IOC Evaluation Commission’s visit next week, we can point to past, current and future examples of our ability to deliver events with a global reach.”