Türkiye aims high for Paris 2024 Olympics with 102 athletes across 18 sports
The Paris 2024 Olympics will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. This edition of the games focuses on sustainability and gender equality.
The opening ceremony will be a historic event, taking place along the Seine River, where athletes will parade on boats over a 6-kilometer stretch.
Over 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will compete in 32 sports, with an equal number of male and female athletes.
Paris aims to significantly reduce the games’ carbon footprint by using existing infrastructure and promoting green energy sources.
Türkiye aims to make a significant impact at these games as the country celebrates its 100th anniversary of attending the Olympics.
Türkiye’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Türkiye will be represented by 102 athletes competing in 18 different sports disciplines. Key sports and athletes include:
- Shooting: Ismail Keles, Yusuf Dikec, Simal Yilmaz, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, Sena Can, Oguzhan Tuzun, Rumaysa Pelin Kaya.
- Athletics: Kaan Kigen Ozbilen, Kayhan Ozer, Ersu Saşma, Salih Korkmaz, Meryem Bekmez, Tugba Danismaz, Yasmani Copello Escobar, Ayse Tekdal, Mazlum Demir, Berke Akcam, Alperen Acet, Buse Savaskan, Emel Dereli, Necati Er, Ozkan Baltaci, Eda Tugsuz.
- Boxing: Busenaz Surmeneli, Buse Naz Cakiroglu, Hatice Akbas, Esra Yildiz Kahraman, Gizem Ozer, Samet Gumus, Tugrulhan Erdemir, Kaan Aykutsun.
- Artistic gymnastics: Ferhat Arican, Adem Asil, Ahmet Onder, Ibrahim Colak, Emre Dodanli.
- Fencing: Enver Yildirim, Nisanur Erbil.
- Wrestling: Taha Akgul, Riza Kayaalp, Yasemin Adar, Buse Cavusoglu, Ali Cengiz
Türkiye’s firsts and outs in Paris 2024 Olympics
Türkiye will not debut in any new sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Turkish athletes have secured their places through rigorous qualification processes in various established disciplines.
On the other hand, Türkiye will not participate in sports such as hockey, rugby, softball, and baseball due to the lack of qualification in these events.
Additionally, sports like karate, which were featured in Tokyo 2020, will not be part of the Paris 2024 Olympics, affecting athletes who excelled in those disciplines previously.
Türkiye’s historical achievements, medal prospects
Türkiye has a rich history of Olympic success, particularly in wrestling, weightlifting, taekwondo, judo, athletics, archery, and boxing.
Turkish wrestlers have won a total of 104 Olympic medals, making wrestling the country’s most successful sport. Prominent athletes expected to compete in Paris include:
- Taha Akgul (wrestling): Multiple-time world and Olympic champion.
- Yasemin Adar (wrestling): The first Turkish female wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
- Busenaz Surmeneli and Buse Naz Cakiroglu (boxing): Both medalists from Tokyo 2020.
- Mete Gazoz (archery): Gold medalist in Tokyo 2020.
- Ferhat Arican (artistic gymnastics): Bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020.
- Hatice Kubra Ilgun and Hakan Recber (taekwondo): Both secured bronze medals in Tokyo 2020.
These athletes are strong contenders for medals in Paris, continuing Türkiye’s legacy of Olympic success.
Türkiye looks forward to the Paris 2024 Olympics with great anticipation and determination. The athletes, having undergone rigorous training, aim to display their skills and earn medals.
With a strong team and a history of success in various sports, Türkiye is poised to make a significant impact. The emphasis on sustainability and equality at these games aligns with the values of competition and teamwork, promising an engaging and memorable Olympic experience.