ISTANBUL, Turkey: Istanbul is about to host the 2027 European Games, giving the Turkish capital an opportunity to indicate it will probably stage a global multi-sports occasion because it eyes the 2036 Olympics.

The European Olympic Committees group mentioned Wednesday that its govt committee unanimously picked Istanbul because the host, though the choice nonetheless must be permitted by nationwide members at a gathering in June.

The European Games had been first held in 2015 and serves as a continental championship and Olympic qualifier for various sports activities. The 2023 version in Poland featured practically 7,000 athletes competing in 29 sports activities, together with athletics, boxing and desk tennis.

EOC president Spyros Capralos mentioned in a press release that “Istanbul and Turkey have lengthy been good buddies of worldwide sport” and that no new venues want be constructed particularly for the European Games.

Istanbul was second to Tokyo in the bid contest for the 2020 Olympics and city officials said last year they want to target the 2036 Summer Games.

India is also planning to bid for the 2036 Olympics, with the Australian city Brisbane having already been awarded the 2032 games.

The International Olympic Committee has changed its process for awarding Olympic games in recent years, inviting preferred candidates for exclusive talks instead of having an open bidding process.

Turkey will also co-host soccer’s 2032 European Championship with Italy.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games