IMM revived the traditional “Legend Athletes of the Islands Program”, which was last held in 2013, after 9 years. Saying, “We will carry the process prepared today to a much better point next year and we will do a careful work at the point of making the continuation traditional,” İmamoğlu said, “This is a boutique beauty, a legend and a beauty of this city and this country. We will continue to make all the sacrifices we can for the Islands to protect, develop, become a world-class venue and become a promoted destination.”
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) President Ekrem İmamoğlu, relaunched the “Legend Athletes of the Islands Program”, which was traditionally organized until 2013 and has not been held since then. At the event held at the old athletics track in Maltepe Çınar Mahallesi, respectively, former national football player Özkan Şendir from Adalı, Mayor of Islands Erdem Gül and İmamoğlu gave speeches. Emphasizing that they want to bring Istanbul together with the Olympics as soon as possible, İmamoğlu said, “I really think that the Olympics will not suit any other city in the world as much as it suits this city. We are aware that this is a social issue. This is not just with the facility, it happens with people. We act with this awareness,” he said.
“OLYMPIC CAN BE WINNING BY CREATING SOCIAL AWARENESS”
Stating that they have recently put the athletics track in compliance with international standards in Maltepe to the service of athletes and citizens, İmamoğlu said, “We will build another one, even more comprehensive, on the European side. We will experience a process that focuses on basic sports, from athletics to gymnastics, from swimming to all other branches.” Emphasizing that the Olympics can be won with the formation of social awareness in addition to athletes and facilities, İmamoğlu said, “When we look today, while some countries are now participating in a way that will reach up to 400-450 athletes, unfortunately we are much lower. Our last participation was 108 athletes. When we look at our population, this participation really does not suit our country. We have to raise it,” he said.
“ IF WE ATTRACT IRREAL ATTITUDES TO THE CIRCLE OF THE MENTAL…”
Emphasizing that sports should be extended to large groups as well, İmamoğlu drew attention to the obesity problem that has become widespread in society. Emphasizing that although Istanbul is the smallest district of Istanbul in terms of area, it has an active place in sports, İmamoğlu mentioned the names of some of the 230 athletes from Adalar, who are famous in different branches, from football virtuoso Lefter Küçükandonyadis to boxing legend Garbis Zakaryan. Reminding that the "Legend Athletes of the Islands" event was held in 2013 for the last time, İmamoğlu said:
“We will carry the process prepared today to a much better point next year. And at the point of making the continuation traditional, we will do a careful work. A boutique beauty, a legend and a beauty of this city and this country. We will continue to make all the sacrifices we can for the Islands to protect, develop, become a world-class venue, and become a promoted destination. Sometimes there are obstacles standing in front of us that we never expected. But I hope that if we bring these irrational attitudes into the circle of reason, we will achieve much more practical and much better works together in the future. From here, I commemorate the legendary athletes of the Islands, especially those who lost their lives. I wish those who are alive a good life, a healthy life.”
GÜL: “WE SEE DIFFERENCES AS WEALTH”
Stating that they have recently opened an exhibition for 230 national athletes from the Islands, Mayor Gül said, “There are people from all religions, languages and nationalities among these athletes. Our islands already have historical, cultural, geographical, richness. We also understood the human wealth. So we have many differences, but we see these differences as richness. Now, our children are doing sports together in solidarity, fraternity, unity, even though they are different in the same way. I would like to express this as the most important feature of the Islands”.
After the speeches, 230 national athletes from Adalar were presented their medals. The medals of the athletes who lost their lives, including Lefter Küçükandonyadis, were received by their family members. After the medal presentation, various competitions were held between the clubs operating in the Islands.
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