Major shock for medalist at awards ceremony!

In a marathon in Kaş, Antalya, 10-year-old licensed athlete Öykü Zeynep’s 1,200 lira entry fee was accepted and she was registered for the race. After she finished the race in second place, they told her she was 'under 18' and refused to give her the award.

Öykü Zeynep Çankaya traveled to Kaş from Bodrum, where she lives with her parents, over the weekend to participate in the half marathon. She paid the organization fee and completed her registration.

Her name appeared on the official race list. Zeynep managed to finish the 6-kilometer course, in which 160 people participated, in second place among women. However, despite her name being announced at the awards ceremony, she was not allowed on the podium.

Zeynep’s family and her coach, Fatma Özkan, spoke with the race organizer, Polat Dede. Dede stated, “She can race, but according to the regulations, we do not give medals to those under 18, she cannot go on the podium, go complain wherever you want.”

Her mother, Meryem Çankaya, expressed her reaction by saying, “Instead of rewarding her, they are punishing her. An athlete is not raised easily.”