STORY: Turkish athletes bring home fond memories, new friendships from Chengdu Universiade
DATELINE: Aug. 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:22
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: SPORTS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the athletes' village of Chengdu Universiade
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ABDULLAH TUGLUK, Turkish athlete
3. various of the city of Chengdu
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ABDULLAH TUGLUK, Turkish athlete
5. various of the athletes' village of Chengdu Universiade
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): ABDULLAH TUGLUK, Turkish athlete
7. various of the athletes' village of Chengdu Universiade
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): SEZGIN ATAC, Turkish athlete
9. various of cultural activities
10. SOUNDBITE 5 (Turkish): YELIZ AY YILDIZ, Turkish athletic coach
 
STORYLINE:
 
The Turkish athletes who took part in the Chengdu Universiade said that they had brought home fond memories and new friendships from Chengdu, China.
 
Speaking to Xinhua, the athletes said they had an incredible experience in Chengdu, from street delicacies to new friends from different countries and the helpful volunteers.
 
Abdullah Tugluk, a 24-year-old athlete representing Istanbul's Halic University at the Universiade, was amazed by the hospitality of the Chinese people.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ABDULLAH TUGLUK, Turkish athlete
"The Chinese are generally very happy people, and they helped us capture that synergy."
 
Speaking of Chengdu, Tugluk said the city will always have a special place in his heart.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ABDULLAH TUGLUK, Turkish athlete
"I will never forget the street delicacies in the city center. There are various flavors that belonged to that region. I will never forget them. Their beautiful tastes will always stay in my memory."
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): ABDULLAH TUGLUK, Turkish athlete
"Imagine a cafeteria with people of all nationalities. When I looked around, there were Japanese on one side, Chinese on the other, Germans, Italians, and many others. I had the opportunity to meet new people."
 
Sezgin Atac, another Turkish athlete, praised the hard work of the Chinese volunteers who had always lent a helping hand.
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): SEZGIN ATAC, Turkish athlete
"They are very warm-hearted and charming, just like us Turkish people. If we had the slightest problem, they would come running to solve it. I have never seen anything like it. They are very respectful and sincere. Everything was perfect. So I would like to thank them again for completing such a great organization."
 
Yeliz Ay Yildiz, an athletic coach, also spoke highly of the kind assistance from the Chinese authorities of all levels.
 
SOUNDBITE 5 (Turkish): YELIZ AY YILDIZ, Turkish athletic coach
"Not only the volunteers but everyone was very kind at every stage of the organization, from the cook in the cafeteria to the cleaning staff to the office staff at the welcome center."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)