Olympic Notes: Madrid 2020 Olympic Bid To Send Delegates To China, Hong Kong, Taiwan

Members of the Madrid 2020 Olympic bid are planning to visit Asia this week to try to close five votes. Three votes come from China, plus one from Hong Kong and another from Taiwan, which is under Chinese rule but is partially recognized as independent. China is "one of the last corners Madrid has not visited." Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) President Alejandro Blanco has gone door to door in South America and Africa. Istanbul 2020 CEO Hasan Arat traveled to Ivory Coast to earn the support of the National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). Three prominent businessmen are supporting Arat's trip: Turkish Airlines President Temel Kotil, Ali Koç of Koç Holding and Dogus Holding Chair Ferit Sahenk (AS, 7/23). ... The Summer Deaflympics will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria from Friday through Aug. 4. About 5,000 athletes and staff from 96 countries and regions will compete in 19 sports (CHINA DAILY, 7/23).