Belarus at the Olympics were won in athletics, shooting, and wrestling (both freestyle and Greco-Roman). The bronze medals were won in artistic gymnastics, athletics, rowing and Greco-Roman wrestling. The country sent 159 athletes to compete in 21 disciplines. The Belarusian government, using public funds and sponsorships, spent five million USD to prepare the athletes for the 2000 Olympics. Minister of Sports and Tourism Yevgeny Vorsin predicted that Belarus would win four gold medals during the Games. Belarus finished with three gold, three silver and 11 bronze medals. Karsten successfully defended her championship in the single sculls, with the other two gold medals won by
Istanbul bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics A joint bid among Ireland, Scotland and Wales was submitted. In addition, a bid from Azerbaijan and Georgia was also submitted. On May 23, 2012, the IOC Selected Istanbul as a Candidate City for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Right after being shortlisted as a candidate city, it was announced that the Vice President of the Turkish Olympic Committee Hasan Arat will serve as the head of Istanbul's bid for the 2020 Olympics. In July 2012 the bid received the endorsement of American Olympic gold-medalist Mark Spitz who won a total of nine Olympic gold medals between 1968 and 1972. The