STORY: 2nd batch of Turkish athletes, coaches leave Istanbul for Chengdu Universiade
DATELINE: July 27, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:10
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: SPORTS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of Istanbul airport in Türkiye
2. various of Turkish sports delegation in Istanbul airport, Türkiye
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ALI SAHIN, Technical director of the national taekwondo team
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ALI SAHIN, Technical director of the national taekwondo team
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): SAKIR BEZCI, Taekwondo coach
6. various of Turkish sports delegation in Istanbul airport, Türkiye
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): HAKAN RECBER, Taekwondo world champion
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Turkish): HAKAN RECBER, Taekwondo world champion
9. various of Turkish sports delegation in Istanbul airport, Türkiye
 
STORYLINE:
 
The second batch of the Turkish delegation, consisting of 105 athletes and coaches, left Istanbul on Wednesday for Chengdu to take part in the 31st FISU World University Games.
 
Before their departure, those who spoke to Xinhua at Istanbul Airport praised China's achievements in developing and using environment-friendly high technological features in the Games.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ALI SAHIN, Technical director of the national taekwondo team
"I am sure I will find all such elements stunning and exciting. It will probably be a pleasant journey."
 
The technical director emphasized China's breakthroughs in the fields of green energy with low carbon emissions.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ALI SAHIN, Technical director of the national taekwondo team
"The use of green energies is very pleasing, the benefits are diverse, and their use is exponentially increasing (in China). As you know, such achievement is significant when the world is experiencing the impacts of global warming and climate change. Humanity is trying to protect this beautiful moment of the world. (China's achievements) will be very helpful for this purpose."
 
Echoing Sahin, Sakir Bezci, the taekwondo coach, said high-tech features and environment-friendly systems used in sports venues at the Universiade are all excellent development for the world.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): SAKIR BEZCI, Taekwondo coach
"Such features are very important for the world. I think that at least a cleaner and more beautiful life awaits us when it comes to green developments in harmony with nature."
 
Hakan Recber, a taekwondo world champion, also emphasized his excitement about cultural unification during the Universiade.
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): HAKAN RECBER, Taekwondo world champion
"(China) brings together people from many different nations. Of course, even though we play matches and compete with each other there, our friendship persists. I have a lot of friends from abroad, from the Far East. I meet with all of them there."
 
In his view, this journey is actually an excellent opportunity for all of them to unite and socialize there. Recber is also very excited to see his Chinese athletes with whom he previously became friends.
 
SOUNDBITE 5 (Turkish): HAKAN RECBER, Taekwondo world champion
"The Chinese people are very sweet. They are absolutely very friendly and very understanding."
 
The Universiade will be held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, from July 28 through August 8, showcasing a total of 18 sports. Türkiye will enter the Games with a delegation of 155 athletes.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)