CHP Criticizes AKP’s Sports Policies Amid Turkey’s Poor Performance in 2024 Paris Olympics
CHP Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Deniz Yücel criticized Turkey’s disappointing performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the sports policies of the AKP government, which has been in power for 22 years.
Highlighting statistics that placed Turkey 64th with only 8 medals, Yücel used the performance of the top 10 medal-winning countries and their average ages in 2023 as benchmarks. He described Turkey’s results as evidence of the “incompetence and ineffectiveness of the AKP government,” pointing out that Turkey, despite its young and large population, failed to make a mark.
Yücel argued that the AKP’s ambitions to host the Olympics were driven more by projects focused on construction and profit rather than definitive sports infrastructure. He emphasized the government’s failure to nurture athletes and the pressure exerted on female athletes and sports federations.
“For 22 years, the AKP administration has repeatedly failed to secure a bid to host the Olympics while unable to produce capable athletes. Continuous interference in management and the marginalization of women in sports have led to these dismal results,” he said.
Addressing derogatory remarks directed at the national volleyball team, known as the “Sultans of the Net,” Yücel expressed his support, saying, “They are always our pride. Congratulations to Atatürk’s daughters.”
Source: Statements by CHP Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Deniz Yücel.