At the seminar programme titled “100% Triathlon: Lifelong Sport for Lifelong Health”, organised by the Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) Health Society and Sports Society in cooperation, Ahmet Selami Vanlı, President of the Boğaziçi Olympic Swimming Club, shared his triathlon-specific experiences and the positive effects of sport on physical, mental and spiritual health with the students.
The programme, held at the HKU Law Amphitheatre, was attended by HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli, Vice-Rectors Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Lütfi Yola, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Kezban Bayramlar, Dean of the Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences Prof. Dr. Fatih Hasoğlu, Dean of Students Asst. Prof. Dr. Özgür Osman Demir, academics and students.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli said: “Sport is a way of life that nourishes not only our bodies but also our souls and guides us towards our goals with determination. Taking part in sport is key to protecting and improving our physical health. However, it is not limited to bodily health only; it also affects our mental health positively. Sport gives us the opportunity to develop our capacity in many areas, such as coping with stress, gaining the ability to focus and developing leadership skills. As Hasan Kalyoncu University, encouraging our students to embrace sport and a healthy lifestyle is an important mission for us.”
Ahmet Selami Vanlı, President of the Boğaziçi Olympic Swimming Club, stated that, in addition to their training activities, the club organises four different swimming marathons, namely the Gulf of İskenderun, the Gökçeada Crossing, the Gulf of Mudanya and the Gulf of Büyükçekmece, and that athletes who successfully complete all four races are presented with a special plaque signed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He said: “Our country is a strong country that can use its own potential to the fullest, with both its size and its rich material and spiritual resources. Based on these strong foundations, we should play a more active role in the field of sport in order to carry our country higher internationally. The various courses in our country are an indicator of this potential. Through very valuable sports activities to be passed on to future generations, we can make our country visible internationally and, by using the unifying power of sport, rise to the highest level on the global stage.”
Emphasising the contributions of triathlon to mental and physical development and its importance in life discipline and managing life, Boğaziçi Olympic Swimming Club President Ahmet Selami Vanlı conveyed to the students the link between health and triathlon and the opportunities that triathlon offers.
At the end of the programme, HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli presented a plaque to Boğaziçi Olympic Swimming Club President Ahmet Selami Vanlı.
