'Miraculous' Istanbul hopes fifth time's a charm for 2036 Games, says mayor

PARIS : Istanbul is banking on its experience in hosting major international sports events and the city's iconic brand, stretching across two continents, as it bids to land the 2036 summer Olympics, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said on Friday.

The Turkish metropolis that connects Europe with Asia has been an Olympic Games candidate city four times without success but Imamoglu said that experience was now invaluable. One more time it was an applicant city but failed to get into the candidate stage.

"Istanbul has bid four times and unfortunately these bids were unsuccessful," he told Reuters in an interview. "We are bidding for the fifth time, for 2036."

"All 16 million Istanbulites are willing to host the Games. The will of the local government is not enough. The inhabitants and volunteers need to be involved in the bid with the city's rich history and miraculous landscape. As a sports city Istanbul is ready," he said.

The Turkish city has a rapidly growing list of major events on its patch, having staged Formula One races as well two Champions League finals, including in 2023.

It will host the 2027 European Games, the continent's biggest multi-sports event, and will co-host the 2032 European Championship in soccer jointly with Italy.

"The (European Games) will be an opportunity for us to have a very healthy rehearsal for the Olympics," Imamoglu said.

"Istanbul has hosted very important sports events and has facilities that are ready. For that purpose the whole city has a very high capability to host such events."

"As we will see with Paris, the Games give an opportunity to organisers together with the city," he added.

The French capital on Friday is opening the Games with an unprecedented ceremony in the city centre, instead of a