This aerial view taken in Istanbul on April 30, 2008 shows the historical peninsula (R), the Asian one (in the background back) and the Pera side (L) of Istanbul. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on August 13, 2011 announced Istanbul’s bid to host 2020 summer Games.”We are here today to declare the world our candidacy for 2020 Olympic Games, which we consider extremely important for our country and people,” Erdogan said here in his televised remarks. AFP PHOTO / MUSTAFA OZER