New gymnastics facility opened in Ankara
Turkish Gymnastics Federation President Emre Çelen announced that the new federation building and gymnastics hall in the capital started service with the Aerobic Gymnastics Federation Cup. Çelen said, "We are really very excited. We have a magnificent federation building and gymnastics hall."
Çelen, who explained that minor issues are being resolved through test competitions and training at the facility, said the official opening will take place in September and that the entire gymnastics and sports community is invited. Çelen thanked Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and the ministry, the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, and the Spor Toto Organization for their great support in the construction of the facility.
Ankara became one of the centers of gymnastics
Çelen noted that they have not been able to organize a Turkish championship in Ankara for about 10 years, saying, "Now all our competitions will start coming here. Hopefully, we will also start hosting international competitions here." He stated that the capital has joined the ranks of gymnastics centers in Istanbul Sancaktepe, Antalya, Bolu, and Izmir.
First Olympic quota target
The Federation President emphasized that all disciplines from artistic to rhythmic, from trampoline to aerobic, are recognized in 81 provinces. "The Turkish Gymnastics Federation now goes to every competition with a medal target. The expectations from us, both from our people and our ministry, are very high," he assessed.
Çelen, who conveyed that they expect finals and medals from the European Artistic Gymnastics Championship in August, the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship, and the World Aerobic Gymnastics Championship in September, reminded that the aerobic branch consistently wins medals in Europe and the world. He said the target in rhythmic gymnastics is finals, and because it is an Olympic discipline, they want to secure an Olympic quota for the first time. He added that the same target applies to trampoline.
Target of 10 athletes for Los Angeles 2028
Emre Çelen summarized the Olympic journey of Turkish gymnastics, explaining that they first participated in London 2012, were represented by 2 athletes in Rio 2016, and 5 athletes each in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. "Our target is to increase that 5 to 10. Our excitement will not end until we win the Olympic gold," said Çelen, citing the bronze medal won by Ferhat Arıcan in Tokyo.
Çelen explained the reason for focusing on the rhythmic gymnastics group national team as the opportunity to win a quota for 5 athletes at once with one group. "Let's go with many athletes so that we increase the number of athletes who can win medals," he said. Çelen added that the greatest excitement is to wave the flag.
