Minister Bak: Kaçkar by UTMB contributes to the promotion of Rize and Türkiye

Minister Bak, in a statement to journalists regarding the marathon organized in Ayder Plateau in the Çamlıhemşin district with the participation of 2,000 athletes from 60 countries, said that they have realized an important organization for Turkey.

Stating that Kaçkar by UTMB, held for the second time this year, is an important organization in terms of sports tourism, Bak wished success to the athletes.

Bak pointed out that it is a run where people integrate with nature, saying, "Runners will see nature on the tracks. They all have cameras; they take photos and share them. This is an important organization in terms of promoting our country and the Kaçkars. The Kaçkars have both winter and summer tourism potential. It is a fantastic organization with its nature, beauty, rivers, streams, and flora."

Noting that those running the ultra marathon are world-class athletes, Minister Bak said, "These people also have followers. This audience specifically follows such organizations and comes to them. Here, Turkish Airlines, TOGG, Turkcell, and Maxis are providing sponsorship. Furthermore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, as well as our Rize Governorship and DOKA are taking part in the organization."

Reminding that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was in Rize due to various programs, Bak continued:

"He was very happy that athletes coming from all over Turkey and the world held such an organization in Rize, in Ayder. We thank everyone who contributed to the realization of this organization. It is also a vitality, a movement for our region. People share and see these places. They see the beauties of nature. This is truly important in terms of tourism and sports tourism."

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak stated that Turkey is a sports country with major sports organizations and facility investments, saying, "We also very clearly get a share from sports tourism. Sports tourism really provides significant gains to the country."

Reminding that the European Women's Volleyball Championship was held in Turkey, Minister Bak made the following evaluation:

"The Sultans of the Net became European champions. They had also become champions in the Nations League this year. They had also become champions in 2023. 17,500 people watched the match from the stands, and millions watched from their screens. Sports organizations are like this. We will hold the 2027 European Games in Istanbul. Again, we organize many events in various sports branches. The importance of sports tourism emerges right here. Participants share their experiences. They see new people in the countries they visit, and then new ones come."

"WE DESIRE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS TOURISM"

Explaining that human struggle in nature continues, Minister Bak said, "In the past, many of our people engaged in agriculture in these mountains, in these plateaus; they made cheese on the plateau and sold it. They engaged in honey and agriculture. Now these are being discovered. Ayder has an attraction. We want to use this attraction in all kinds of tourism activities and meetings. This is also important for us. Just as they paired Davos with economic forums, we want to pair Ayder and our Rize with such organizations."

Underlining that they will continue sports tourism investments, Bak said, "Hopefully, we will realize much larger organizations. We desire the development of sports tourism. This is also in our government plan. Sports is a structure that brings masses together and contributes to the promotion of the country."

Wishing success to the athletes and thanking those who contributed to the organization, Minister Bak said, "There are flags of participating countries. A beautiful picture. The descents and tracks are difficult. The picture is clear, but human beings always love struggle and adrenaline. This is also the picture in life. Life is a struggle, life is energy. People share their energy here."

Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş also stated that Rize, the capital of green, blue, tea, and rain, will now also be the capital of the ultra marathon.

Emphasizing that Kaçkar by UTMB is part of the largest organization in the world, Baydaş said, "We have very beautiful natural beauties and a magnificent geography in the Kaçkars. Last year, the Kaçkars hid their face; there was fog and rain. This year, we see it in all its beauty, and the athletes will see it too. I think the images to be broadcast from here will be very beautiful and will contribute to the promotion of our country."

Governor Baydaş, thanking Minister Osman Aşkın Bak and the sponsors of the organization, expressed that President Erdoğan also followed the developments regarding the races.

Following the speeches, Minister Bak gave the start for the 50 and 20-kilometer runs in Kaçkar by UTMB, which will be held in 4 categories.

Minister Bak and Governor Baydaş then ran 4 kilometers.

The program was attended by Ahmet Temurci, General Director of International Organizations and Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Safa Koçoğlu Gürsoy, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports; AK Party Rize Deputies Muhammed Avcı and Harun Mertoğlu; Rahmi Metin, Mayor of Rize; Gizem Çiçek, District Governor of Çamlıhemşin; Ömer Altun, Mayor of Çamlıhemşin; Johan Essl, Race Director of Kaçkar by UTMB; and other officials.

In Kaçkar by UTMB, athletes will compete in 100, 50, 20, and 4 kilometers.

Anadolu Agency Sports Club (AASK) athletes also competed in Kaçkar by UTMB. AA Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Özhan and AASK Athletics Branch Supervisor Senior Correspondent Hasan Hüseyin Kul ran on the 20-kilometer track.

Athletes, starting from Ayder Plateau, will try to reach the finish point at the same location after completing the designated route.