"I believe that China will overcome all kinds of difficulties, including terrorism threats, and host an excellent Olympic Games," Aydin added.

Today, the Hagia Sophia Museum is more jubilant than usual despite dark clouds in the sky. Colourful banners flaunting in the breeze have been set around the museum with the slogan "Light the Passion, Share the Dream" printed on it.

The unfriendly weather did not mar Burak' business. Burak, 24, who runs a small souvenir booth opposite to the museum, told Xinhua that the Olympics will boost economic and cultural exchanges between different nations. "It is not just a matter of sports," Burak said.

"It is also a golden opportunity for my own business because the relay will surely attract lots of tourists," Burak added.

Ismail, 42, a veteran taxi driver in Istanbul, said that the Beijing Olympics is a great event for both China and the world, and a successful Olympics will be a milestone of China's development.

"I heard of the relay from local TV. Turkey should learn from China in its bid for the Olympic Games. We must improve our economic and transportation infrastructure as well as publicity," he said.

Istanbul failed to host the Olympic Games in four consecutive bids including 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

"Istanbul is an ideal city to host the Games, so we will never give up," he said.

Though he is proud of his national football team which impresses the world recently, "my favorite game in Beijing Olympics will be wrestling, I hope our wrestlers could win many medals in Beijing," he said.

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