Türkiye targets European Athletics Championships

Turkish Athletics Federation President Ahmet Karadağ said they have set the European Championships, to be held in August in the United Kingdom, as their main target this year, and that they will participate in the upcoming World Indoor Championships with two athletes.

Karadağ, who has been in office for 16 months, said their most important achievement was lifting a sanction imposed by World Athletics. The penalty had deemed Türkiye unreliable due to manipulated results linked to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

He stated that after discussions with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, the sanction was lifted on December 4, 2024, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Regarding the World Indoor Championships (March 20–22 in Poland), Karadağ said Türkiye will compete with only two athletes: Necati Er and Şilan Ayyıldız. He noted this would be more of a symbolic participation, as the federation is prioritizing preparation for the European Championships.

Karadağ emphasized that indoor athletics is challenging for Türkiye due to limited facilities, with only two indoor venues in the country, and said success at the global level is difficult.

On the controversial issue of naturalized athletes, he cited Melissa Vargas as an example, saying her inclusion boosted Turkish volleyball and can serve as a model to inspire local athletes.

He also highlighted the importance of youth development, noting that long-term results are expected around future Olympic cycles such as 2036 Summer Olympics. Plans include genetic screening for top performers in youth competitions like “Türkiye’s Fastest” to identify future talent.

Finally, Karadağ expressed strong confidence in success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while avoiding specific medal promises.