CHP's Sevgi Kılıç: 'Politics is holding sports back, we must abandon this mentality'

CHP Deputy Chair responsible for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Sevgi Kılıç, issued a written statement regarding the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Stating that Turkey has regressed in branches where politics interferes with sports, Kılıç said, "We could not achieve the results we wanted even in branches where our gold medal was previously guaranteed. We must urgently abandon the mentality that puts sports at the service of politics and instead put politics at the service of sports."

AN ACCOUNTING OF THE REGRESSION MUST BE MADE

Kılıç stated that Turkish national athletes are role models for millions of children and young people with their performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, emphasizing that the regression in medal counts and rankings must be examined carefully, Kılıç said that investments in sports should be strengthened and diversified.

Sevgi Kılıç also stated that Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak is avoiding responsibility and pointed to the lack of long-term planning.

A MINISTER WHO DOES NOT ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT

Stating that they witnessed a minister using the success of athletes for personal promotion at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Kılıç expressed that this approach is contrary to the Olympic spirit. She noted that social media could have been used effectively for the promotion of Turkey, but that the opportunity was missed.

CRITICISM OF THE ISTANBUL HOUSE

Criticizing the fact that government representatives did not attend the Istanbul House opened by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in Paris, Kılıç said, "We leave this approach, which undermines our national interests as if Istanbul were a city of another country, to the conscience of our sports community and the Turkish people." Furthermore, she criticized the exclusion of Russia and Belarus from the Olympics, describing this situation as a global injustice.

Stating that they are proud of the efforts of the athletes competing in Paris, Kılıç thanked the athletes and wished the Paralympic athletes success. Kılıç added that efforts to raise new champions in cooperation with local governments will continue.

News Source: 12punto