Turkey makes history with indoor Olympics Medal

Turkey won its first medals in the 14th World Indoor Athletics Championships over the weekend in Istanbul. Stating that Turkey has been fully appreciated by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) for its successful organization in Istanbul, Youth and Sports Minister Suat Kilic thanked all the participant countries and athletes. Turkish Athletic Federation President Mehmet Terzi said that federation chairmen and managers from 172 countries also thanked Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Speaking in his part, IAAF Chairman Lamine Diack said that Atakoy Athletics Arena, which was the first athletics arena in Turkey, would continue to maintain heritage of athletics for many years to come and thanked Turkish people for their hospitality. Asli Cakir Alptekin and Ilham Tanui Ozbilen won track medals for Turkey. Alptekin won the bronze medal in the women's 1500m finals and Ozbilen claimed the silver medal in men's 1500m on the second day of Championships. Speaking to Sabah daily, Kenyan-born Ozbilen, formerly William Biwott Tanui, said that it was quite important for him to receive a medal in Istanbul and that he now considered himself as one of 70 million Turks.