Olympics 2020 Location Odds: Tokyo, Istanbul, Madrid Fight to Host Summer Games
Three cities are vying to be the host of the 2020 Olympics, but only one will end up on top.
Istanbul, Tokyo, and Madrid will be at the forefront of the discussion in Buenos Aires today as members of the International Olympic Committee weigh the options and decide on a city.
Each city has its reasons why it should be a host, but there are a number of concerns swirling around each city in the time leading up to the decision. Turkey is located near Syria, which has gained international publicity with possible American strikes looming and Syrian refugees traveling to Turkey, while Japan is dealing with a damaged nuclear plant that may pose a health concern for foreigners. In Spain, Madrid is no stranger to problems either as the city has dealt with a recession.
"What is usually a celebration... a good news event, is now a contest of the least-bad news," an Olympic insider said to Reuters. "It is not a beauty contest, it is a least-ugly parade."
Still, the people representing these cities will do everything it takes to bring the Olympic games to their home.
"During our presentation, I look forward to conveying Tokyo's safety, strong finances, world class transportation and organizational ability," Tokyo governor Naoki Inose said on Friday.
Even in Madrid, where the recession has brought negative headlines, city mayor Ana Botella disregarded financial concerns in relation to the potential of the Olympics in the city.
"The economic crisis is starting to get better," she said. "The amount we would have to invest over seven years is very small compared to the budget of the state, the autonomous community of Madrid and the city hall."
In Turkey, people argue that the problems in Syria are no longer local but have grown global. "This is a global issue ... now the world leaders are dealing with it," Hasan Arat said to Reuters.