Istanbul is Declared the '2012 European Capital of Sport'

In the ceremony held at the European Parliament, the President of the European Capitals of Sport Association Gian Francesco Lupatelli presented a certificate to Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağıþ and Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbaþ that declared Istanbul as the ‘2012 European Capital of Sport'.

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağıþ,  European Capitals of Sport Association Gian Francesco Lupatelli and Mayor of İstanbul Kadir Topbaþ

Egemen Bağıþ expressed that "As a deputy of Istanbul, I am proud of seeing Istanbul for have been selected as the European Capital of Sport after have been designated the 2010 European Capital of Culture."

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağıþ, Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbaþ and National Basketball Team Player İbrahim Kutluay