Istanbul bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics of the city, while the bottom reflects the Asian side, which are divided by the Bosporus. The colors are orange, which reflects the color of sunset in the city, and turquoise, which is connected to Turkish culture. Istanbul bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics Istanbul 2020 (Turkish: ) was a bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics by the city of Istanbul and the Turkish Olympic Committee. The Turkish Olympic Committee (TMOK) announced the selection of Istanbul as Turkey's candidate on July 7, 2011. Turkey's candidacy was announced officially by Prime Minister Erdogan on August 13, 2011. Hasan Arat, who heads
History of Istanbul side there was a Phoenician colony. On the site of Lygos, the later Byzantium was located, thus Lygos is accepted as the city which gave rise to Istanbul. "Byzantion" (Βυζάντιον), Latinized as "Byzantium", was the next name of the city. The name is believed to be of Thracian or Illyrian origin and thus to predate the Greek settlement. It may be derived from a Thracian or Illyrian personal name, "Byzas". Ancient Greek legend refers to a legendary king Bizas as the leader of the Megarean colonists and eponymous founder of the city. Cape Moda in Chalcedon was the first location