Turkey Cannot Host Olympics & Euro 2020 in Same Year says IOC President

May 10, 2012

IOC president Jacques Rogge has ruled out Turkey from hosting the Olympics and Euro 2020 soccer tournament in the same year.

Rogge made the comments to French news agency AFP, medicine saying: “On September 7 next year in Buenos Aires, if Istanbul is elected we will respectfully ask them not to host the European Championships.” 

However, he acknowledged, there was little the IOC could do. 

“Ultimately, it will be for the government to make their mind up but I would say the election would be conditional on not organizing another competition.”

Turkey submitted a bid for Euro 2020 last month and is so far the only candidate for the UEFA showpiece, scheduled just weeks prior to the Games. The strain on infrastructure for a quick turnaround on events is seen as potentially dooming for Istanbul’s Olympic bid. 

In a statement released later in the day from Istanbul 2020, Turkish sports minister Suat K?l?ç said Istanbul is still on track to host the Olympics. 

“Our Prime Minister announced the bid himself, and Istanbul 2020 retains the same support from the same highest level,” he said. “We will fulfil every requirement to win the right to host the Games, under the leadership of our Prime Minister.”