The International Olympic Committee (IOC) started their evaluation visit to Istanbul on Sunday (March 24th) as the city bids to host the 2020 Olympic games.

IOC members met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul early in the morning before touring the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Commission chairman Craig Reedie was on hand to start a race featuring local children.

Istanbul has yet to host an Olympic games, but Turkey is determined to bring a major sporting event to the cosmopolitan city, where Europe meets Asia.

Authorities attempted to bring the European soccer championships to Istanbul in 2020, but organisers UEFA have opted for a multi-country tournament.

Istanbul faces competition from Tokyo and Madrid for the Olympics and is the last of the bidding cities to be visited by the IOC.

The IOC's trip will end on Wednesday (March 27th).

Presented by Adam Justice