The Asian and European Triathlon Championships were held in Istanbul

For the first time in world sports history, two continental championships in the same sport were held in Istanbul. The event, held in Beykoz with Oral-B as the main sponsor, brought together the world's best triathletes and thousands of sports fans in Istanbul. The event, which was united by the enthusiasm of August 30th Victory Day, was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in cooperation with the Turkish Triathlon Federation, the European Triathlon Union, and the Asian Triathlon Union. Throughout the event, athletes competed in the European Women's, European Men's, Asian Women's, Asian Men's, Age Group, and Elite categories. The championship, which began at sunrise, featured a total of six different starts.

ATHLETES FIGHTED FIERCELY BETWEEN TWO CONTINENTS

Triathletes sweated it out on a challenging course, accompanied by unparalleled views of the Bosphorus. Following a 1,500- or 2,200-meter swim leg between Kanlıca and Küçüksu, the competitors crossed from Asia to Europe on their bikes, starting from Küçüksu. While the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge was closed to one-way traffic for the 40-kilometer bike leg, the athletes enjoyed the privilege of pedaling along a historic route. The final leg, a 10-kilometer course between Küçüksu and Çubuklu, tested the competitors' endurance to the limit.

The event brought together approximately 2,000 local and international athletes in Istanbul and attracted nearly 5,000 triathlon enthusiasts to watch the championship. The event also significantly boosted the city's tourism and economic vitality.

ERDEM: WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADD VALUE WITH ORALB

Özge Erdem, Head of Commercial Operations and Marketing for P&G Turkey, Caucasus & Central Asia Health Category, commented after the championship: “We are proud to contribute to the popularization and development of triathlon in our country with the Oral-B brand. It is a great pleasure to be the main sponsor for the fifth time of this historic event, which combines the excitement of Victory Day, August 30th, with the discipline and determination of triathlon. We will continue to contribute to athlete performance with our innovative products that support oral and dental health. We invite everyone to unleash their inner triathlete and brush like a champion for strong, white teeth.” Erdem thanked Bayram Yalçınkaya, President of the Turkish Triathlon Federation, for his significant role in bringing the event to Türkiye, and expressed her delight that Marc D'Hoogé, President of the European Triathlon Union, and Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi Al Saud, President of the Asian Triathlon Union, chose Istanbul.

YALÇINKAYA: A HISTORICAL STEP FOR Türkiye'S PRESTIGE

Bayram Yalçınkaya, President of the Turkish Triathlon Federation and a member of the European Triathlon Union Board of Directors, made the following statement after the championship: “For the first time in history, the Asian and European Championships in a sport were held simultaneously and in the same city. This championship holds great significance for Türkiye's prestige. The fact that the championship coincided with Victory Day on August 30th was a source of particular pride. We are rapidly developing in triathlon, and holding the championship in Istanbul is a clear indication that this progress is being appreciated by the international triathlon community.”

A NEW LINK TO ISTANBUL'S SPORTS HERITAGE

After hosting the world's first and only intercontinental triathlon for five years, Istanbul made its mark on the global sports calendar this year by bringing together the Asian and European Championships. Participants swam in the unique atmosphere of the Bosphorus, cycled across continents, and ran through the heart of history, reaching the finish line.

DHA

Reporter: News Center