SPORTS

Istanbul, Madrid, Tokyo make 1st presentations of 2020 Olympic bids

The Associated Press Published Thursday, May 30, 2013 9:34AM EDT

Runners make their way past a logo on the track during a women's 5000-metre heat at athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (Morry Gash / AP)

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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- Less than four months before the IOC vote, the three cities vying for the 2020 Olympics have taken their campaign to a key international audience -- with each claiming to be the safest and most financially-sound choice at a time of global uncertainty.

Leaders of the bids from Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo made presentations Thursday to the SportAccord conference in St. Petersburg, their first chance to pitch their case in public to a group of sports and Olympic officials.

With speeches, videos and promises of compact games, packed venues and easy transport, the cities sought to gain momentum in a race that will culminate with the vote by the IOC on Sept. 7 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.