Istanbul, Turkey; 24 May 2018: The Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) have announced the winners of the 2017 Turkey Fair Play Awards during a ceremony at their headquarters in Istanbul on 22 May.
In total, 22 individuals and institutions were recognised for their exemplary conduct in 2017 which promotes the spirit of fair play in sport.
Turkey’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympians were amongst the attendees and were awarded their Olympian pins by IOC Vice-President and TOC President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, and TOC Secretary General Neşe Gündoğan.
During a speech at the event Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener said:
"With the aim of promoting Olympic Values of Friendship, Respect and Excellence as well as fair play amongst Turkey’s youth, the TOC’s Fair Play Caravan has visited many universities across the country to educate future sports teachers, trainers, coaches and managers.
"On behalf of the TOC, I would to thank all of those involved for passion and dedication in
Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener’s speech was followed by words from TOC Fair Play Commission President Erdoğan Arıpınar:
"The TOC Fair Play Caravan has met with university students in 50 cities. It has played a very important role in promoting fair play and the Olympic Values throughout the country. I would like to thank members of the TOC family and of the TOC Fair Play Commission for their dedication to volunteering during this project."
Hellenic Olympic Committee President and Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for Minsk 2019 Spyros Capralos was amongst the VIP guests attending the event.
Mr Capralos collected the Great Award on behalf of Greek weightlifter Valerios Leonidis who received the award for attending Naim Süleymanoğlu's funeral in November 2017 and kissing his coffin. Leonidis was one of the finest weightlifters of all time and Naim Süleymanoğlu's greatest competitors throughout his career.
Speaking on the night, Mr Capralos said:
"Sport is a tool that brings together all nations and proves the brotherhood of people all around the World. Competitions in sports fields between two rivals transform into friendships over time. In the globalizing world, the Olympic Games have become one of the most important elements bringing people together regardless of their languages, religions, nations and genders. The friendship of Naim and Valerios was the perfect example of this. Today I am honoured and proud to receive this award on behalf of Valerios."
Other winners of TOC 2017 Fair Play Awards
Great Award (Behaviour Category)
- Valerios Leonidis - Olympic Champion Weightlifter
- At the funeral of Turkish weightlifter and his lifelong rival Naim Süleymanoğlu Leonidis showed a virtuous behaviour by kissing his coffin.
Great Award (Career Category)
- Salih Bora - Wrestling Coach
- Salih Bora has trained many young athletes who have become champions including Hamza Yerlikaya, Seref Eroğlu, Nazmi Avluca and Rıza Kayaalp.
- Bora has also won two silver medals at World Championships throughout his sporting career.
Great Award (Promotion Category)
- Dr. Hülya Bingöl - İnönü University Faculty of Sports Sciences Lecturer
- Dr. Hülya Bingöl organises fair play introductory programmes and holds conferences to promote discussions on fair play.
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