The Turkish Sailing Federation introduced the sailing team set to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, with Arkas Line as the logistics sponsor. The sailing events, featuring eight athletes competing in six quotas, are scheduled to take place between July 26 and August 11.
The countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games has begun. The Olympic Promotion Meeting, organized by the Turkish Sailing Federation and introducing the Olympic Sailing Team that will represent our country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was held at Istanbul Feriye Restaurant, attended by Assoc. Phd. Veli Ozan Cakir, Director General of Sports Services, T.R. Ministry of Youth and Sports; Nese Gundogan, Secretary General of the Turkish National Olympic Committee; Bernard Arkas, Vice President of Arkas Holding, which is the Logistics Sponsor of Paris 2024 Olympic Games; Ali Koc, President of Fenerbahce Sports Club; Selma Altay Rodopman, Member of the Board of Directors of Fenerbahce Sports Club; Bora Bahcetepe, Member of the Board of Directors of Galatasaray Sports Club and Ayca Ark, Sailing Branch Manager of Galatasaray Sports Club.
Following selection races, eight sailing athletes across six disciplines will represent our country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Turkish Olympic Sailing Team, among the top ten countries with the highest number of athletes at the Olympic Games out of 63 countries granted a country quota for sailing events, comprises Ecem Güzel (ILCA 6 Class), Yigit Yalcin Citak (ILCA 7 Class), Beste Kaynakci (Nacra 17 Class), Alican Kaynar (Nacra 17 Class), Derin Atakan (Formula Kite Class), Deniz Cinar (470 Mix Class), Lara Nalbantoglu (470 Mix Class), and Merve Vatan (IQ Foil Class). The Turkish National Team coaches responsible for preparing Olympic athletes for the Olympics are TYF Sports Director Tayfun Erey, ILCA 6 class National Team Coach Kemal Muslubas, ILCA 7 class National Team Coach Mustafa Cakir, IQ Foil class National Team Coach Ferit Ercan, and Nacra 17 class National Team Coach Mustafa Sergen Birincioglu.
“Thirteen percent of athletes participating in the Olympics are from the sailing category”
Ozlem Akdurak, President of the Turkish Sailing Federation, stated in her speech: “Since September 2021, we have secured the country quota in six out of the eight sailing classes we have been competing in for the Olympic Campaign. This achievement has been made possible through our collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Presidency of Spor Toto Organization, our Logistics Sponsor Arkas Line, our dedicated sports staff, and our affiliated clubs. Our athletes deserve recognition not only for their talent and hard work but also for their commitment to representing our country with excellence. We proudly stand behind our athletes as they embark on this campaign to represent our nation.
We swiftly prepared for the new sailing disciplines introduced for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a young team of athletes. We are also very pleased that 13 percent (8 individuals) of the Turkish athletes (63 individuals) competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics are from the sailing category. Additionally, we take pride in the fact that the number of female athletes in the Turkish Sailing Delegation exceeds the number of male athletes.
I extend my best wishes for success to our athletes and coaches, and I want to express our confidence that they will represent Türkiye in the best possible manner.
I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each organization that has wholeheartedly supported us on our journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games;
I would like to extend my gratitude to our Minister Dr. Osman Askin Bak, the executive staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Presidency of the Spor Toto Organization; my dear friend Mr. Bernard Arkas on behalf of Arkas, which undertook the cost of our logistics, one of the most important cost items of sailing since 2022, namely the sea and land transportation of our sports equipment between countries, the storage service we receive from European countries, and finally the cost of the “athletes’ container”, which will be offered to our athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games; Mr. Cem Hakko on behalf of W Collection (who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Sailing Federation) for enhancing the representation power of the Olympic sailing delegation with the clothing prepared; once again to Fenerbahce and Galatasaray Sports Clubs and their sponsors and the families of our athletes for keeping our athletes company on their Olympic path. Of course, my sincerest thanks go to the sports team of our federation and our athletes, who have achieved remarkable success in such a short period. We are immensely proud of them.”
Arkas Line Provides Logistics Support
Bernard Arkas, Vice President of Arkas Holding, expressed: “What excited me about our logistics sponsorship was the fact that the Olympic Games would be held in the Mediterranean. Our family roots trace back to Marseille in the Mediterranean, and our connection to maritime runs deep. Given that our business specialization lies in the Mediterranean, it felt like a natural fit. I was enthusiastic about the opportunity to foster synergy and coordination, especially since we have our own companies in France, Spain, and Italy—countries to which we’ll be transporting—whose executives, as residents of Izmir, hold a strong allegiance to the Turkish National Team. We believed that by relieving our athletes of the burden of logistical processes, we could help them maintain their focus, leading to success. Ultimately, when everyone succeeds, everyone is happy. I extend my congratulations to the athletes and teams, and I sincerely hope that we will return from these Olympics just as joyous. I am proud to have been able to contribute.
Nese Gundogan, Secretary General of the Turkish National Olympic Committee, extended her congratulations to our athletes, as well as to the clubs and sponsors who supported them, and wished them success.
Assoc. Phd. Veli Ozan Cakir, Director General of Sports Services, conveyed his gratitude to our dedicated athletes striving towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as to the Turkish National Team coaches, whose achievements are growing steadily. He also extended his appreciation to the Turkish Sailing Federation, clubs, and sponsors. Lastly, he wished success to the Olympic Sailing Team.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition will feature competitions in 10 classes, with a total quota of 330 athletes. Each National Olympic Committee’s quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics is a total of 14 athletes.
In the sailing branch, there are 10 different classes, including ILCA 7 (Men), ILCA 6 (Women), 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, RS:X (men and women), 470 Mix, and Formula Kite (men and women). Türkiye will compete with 8 athletes across 6 of these classes.
