Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics "has taken a different approach" to selecting their new candidate city logo by "submitting five designs to the court of public opinion," according to Laura Walden of SPORTSFEATURES.com. The five logos can be seen on the official website (www.istanbul2020.com.tr). The competition "is designed to engage the public and fuel the Olympic passion in Turkey." Once the logo has been chosen, all the branding will follow for the candidature files (SPORTSFEATURES.com, 6/13).
FREE TICKETS: In London, Nick Batten reported that London 2012 organizers could give away free tickets to Olympic football matches due to 1.2 million tickets remaining unsold just weeks ahead of the Games. To date, only 1.3 million have been sold with 1.2 million still available. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said, "Whatever happens we will avoid having a lot of empty seats" (MARKETINGMAGAZINE.co.uk, 6/14).
YOUTH GAMES: The PRESS TRUST OF INDIA reported that Sri Lanka's southern port town of Hambantota has been chosen as the host city of the third Youth Asian games in '17. Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah made the announcement (PTI, 6/14).
