Istanbul is uniquely poised to host the 2020 Olympics, Turkey's European Union affairs minister Egemen Bagis said Tuesday.
"Istanbul is the city where mankind ascends to humanity. Just as it became the door leading from darkness into light after its conquest, it stands as a candidate to be that door again today," Bagis was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
"I believe Istanbul will have another conquest by claiming victory," he said.
Istanbul is bidding to host the 2020 Olympics, and faces competition from Madrid and Tokyo.
Turkish Anadolu Agency reported that Istanbul is leading a poll conducted by Olympics news website on which city should host the 2020 Games.
In the poll, Istanbul has received 55 percent of the votes, followed by Madrid with 35 percent, and Tokyo with nine.
The final result of the bidding will be announced on Sep 7 at the conference held by the International Olympic Committee in Buenos Aires.
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