Davut Çetin proposes Antalya as Olympic partner for Istanbul

Davut Çetin, a candidate for the presidency of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO), has proposed that Antalya host components of the Olympic Games to support Turkey's international ambitions.

Speaking to the Antalya Solidarity Group, Çetin emphasized that the city should pursue large-scale international goals rather than focusing solely on local issues. He suggested that Antalya could act as a strategic partner to Istanbul's 2036 Olympic bid rather than a competitor. By leveraging its tourism infrastructure, climate, and natural assets, Antalya could host various disciplines, such as sailing in the Antalya Gulf, open water swimming and triathlons at Konyaaltı beach, beach volleyball in Side, and cycling along the Perge-Aspendos route.

Çetin noted that modern Olympic organizations do not need to be confined to a single city and that combining Istanbul's global influence with Antalya's capacity for sports tourism would strengthen the nation's overall candidacy.