Economy puts Istanbul in Olympics race

Turkey hopes its 8% economic growth rate will help it fend off competitors for hosting the 2020 Games.

The London Olympics may be just a couple of months away now, but already the race to host the 2020 Games is heating up.

After four failed bids, Turkey is hoping its economic growth rate of eight per cent will propel Istanbul to be the host city for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Despite stiff competition from four other cities, including Tokyo and Madrid, Turkey hopes being the fastest growing European economy will help it secure the Games this time round.

Still, some in Turkey say that with one in five out of the nation’s 74 million people living below the poverty line, there are better ways to spend the money for the Olympic bid.

Al Jazeera’s Joanna Gasiorowska reports from Istanbul on what Turkey is doing to fend off competition.

via Economy puts Istanbul in Olympics race – Europe – Al Jazeera English.