20°c Partly cloudy
12°c Cloudy with showers
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Greek government offers support to rival Turkey's bid to host 2020 Olympics
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras shake hands after a joint news conference in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 4, 2013. Samaras is in Istanbul to attend a Turkish-Greek Bussiness forum.(AP Photo)
-
Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London.
ISTANBUL - Greece has offered its support to regional rival Turkey's bid to host the 2020 Olympics.
The prime ministers of both countries signed an agreement pledging to co-operate on Istanbul's latest bid for the games.
The accord was signed by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras following meetings in Istanbul on Sunday and Monday.
In a joint declaration, the leaders said they are committed to "engage in co-operation with regard to the technical and related aspects in the organization of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games."
The agreement said the two sides will "explore ways of enhancing the benefits of the Olympics for the two countries as well as for the entire Balkan and Black Sea region" if Istanbul wins the bid.
Greece, the home of the ancient Olympics and birthplace of the modern games, last hosted the Olympics in Athens in 2004.
Istanbul, bidding for a fifth time, is competing against Tokyo and Madrid for the 2020 Games. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7.
"The ties between Turkey and Greece have been strengthened today, thanks to the power of the Olympic movement to build bridges," Istanbul bid leader Hasan Arat said. "The closer co-operation between our countries will be a valuable and lasting legacy of our bid."
Greece and Turkey mounted a joint bid for soccer's 2008 European Championship, which was awarded to Austria and Switzerland.
Turkey and Greece nearly went to war three times between 1974 and 1996. Relations between the uneasy NATO allies have improved greatly since the late 1990s, but Athens and Ankara remain at odds over a broad range of issues, including war-divided Cyprus, Aegean Sea boundaries, and illegal immigration.
More Olympics
- Back to Top
- Return to Olympics
More Olympics
(1 of 18 articles for this week)
Sierra Leone Olympic Committee disputes suspension by country's sports minister
10:23 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Olympics
- Pistorius representatives: Substance found in his bedroom was to aid 'muscle recovery'
- IOC voices confidence in Rio preparations despite closure of track and field stadium
- IOC group proposes global system for monitoring betting patterns at sports events
- Team Canada mauls Russian bears
- Long johns instead of bikinis?
- Swimming, athletics have funding cut by government, new Olympic sports get increases
- Former world champion Kucera hoping to be back in form in time for Sochi
- Edmonton police arrest diving coach on sex-related charges
- NHL working out details to have its players in 2014 Winter Olympics
- Istanbul 2020 Olympic bid says security top priority after bombings on Syrian border town
- Russian oligarchs foot much of the bill for 2014 Olympics in Sochi as price of doing business
- South Africa: Tears as court acquits Oscar Pistorius' brother in woman's death in accident
- Russia cracks down on illegal construction in Sochi ahead of 2014 Winter Olympics
- AP Sources: Singapore member Ng Ser Miang to announce candidacy for IOC president
- Column: IOC should put wrestling back on Olympic program, give other 2020 wannabes fair shot
- Istanbul 2020 Olympic bid says security top priority after bombings on Syrian border town
- Istanbul 2020 bid highlights improved transportation, infrastructure investment plans
- AP Source: CK Wu of Taiwan notifies Rogge he's running for IOC president
- Sinclair virtual shoo-in as flag bearer
- Former Olympic champ Koji Murofushi challenges IOC at CAS over disqualification from election
- Russian oligarchs foot much of the bill for 2014 Olympics in Sochi as price of doing business
- South Africa: Tears as court acquits Oscar Pistorius' brother in woman's death in accident
- Report: High levels of arsenic in blood of ex-Russian Olympic official who was forced to quit
- Oscar Pistorius' older brother Carl in court again for continuation of culpable homicide trial
- Oly dreams close to reality
- 5 rings over Tulsa? Supporters want Oklahoma's 2nd-largest city to bid for 2024 Olympics
- AP Sources: Singapore member Ng Ser Miang to announce candidacy for IOC president
- USOC CEO Scott Blackmun says 10 cities interested in bidding for 2024 Summer Olympics
- Stefka Kostadinova re-elected for 3rd term as president of Bulgarian Olympic Committee
- Edmonton police arrest diving coach on sex-related charges
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.