Istanbul chose a "Bridge Together" slogan for its 2020 Olympic bid on Monday, while an IOC poll "indicated strong public support for the city's fifth attempt to secure" the Games, according to the AP. The survey results, announced by Turkish Youth and Sports Minister Suat Kilic, found that 83% of Istanbul residents and 76% of the national population "back the Olympic effort." The new bid slogan "highlights the city's unique geographic location straddling Europe and Asia." It is "inspired by Istanbul's Bosporus Bridge, which connects the city's European and Asian sides." The slogan and survey results "were made public on the second day" of the IOC evaluation commission's four-day assessment of Istanbul's bid. The team "has already visited bidders Tokyo and Madrid" (AP, 3/25). The AFP reported Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that "beside the proclaimed public support comes 'total' government support." Gul said, "The Turkish government, and Prime Minister (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, personally, are totally committed to Istanbul's bid and to delivering everything we promised in our candidature. This is the time for Turkey. We are ready as never before" (AFP, 3/25).
