ANKARA, Turkey (AP) A few days before the IOC was to choose the host city for the 2020 Games, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made an impassioned pitch for Istanbul, underlining its unique geographical position uniting Europe and Asia.
Erdogan also says that Istanbul's bid offers "distinction" because Spain and Japan have already hosted Olympics in their countries.
The Turkish leader says Istanbul is determined to provide the best conditions for the games and complete projects on time.
Erdogan was speaking at the airport in Ankara before departing for a G-20 meeting in Russia and flying on to Buenos Aires, where the IOC will vote on Saturday. Istanbul is bidding against Madrid and Tokyo.
Erdogan says "hopefully we will return from Buenos Aires with very good news."