The first official rowing races have started on the Meriç River in Edirne.

The first official rowing races on Meriç River, which has the only Olympic standard course in Turkey, started with the preliminary competitions of the Turkish Junior Rowing Cup. The Turkish Junior Rowing Cup began with the preliminary races on the Meriç River, which has the first course prepared to Olympic standards in Turkey. Rowing athletes, who completed their preparations in the early hours of the morning, lowered their boats into the river and trained. Later, the races began. In the races organized by the Turkish Rowing Federation, 112 athletes started competing on a 2-kilometer course between Mehmet Müezzinoğlu and Meriç bridges. Turkey Rowing Federation President Erhan Ertürk, stating that this course will be a very important point for both the city, sports tourism, and the sports community, expressed that Edirne is now the capital of sports. Ertürk, mentioning that they are experiencing a historic day for rowing, conveyed that a beautiful course was set up on the Meriç River.
“We are a hundred-year-old federation, we have been waiting for this course for a hundred years.” Ertürk, who said that they are a hundred-year-old federation and have been waiting for this course for a hundred years, stated, “I was fortunate to witness this historic moment. I am very happy and joyful. I especially thank our Governorship and our Ministry of Youth and Sports. They provided great support. Before our course was even built, we secured the European Championship and then the Balkan Championship. This place will truly be a very important point for both the city, sports tourism, and our sports community. Edirne is now the capital of sports for us,” he said. Ertürk stated that races are held on 6 courses, and that more than 40 clubs and over 400 athletes will row in the river. Ertürk stated that the successful athletes in the preliminaries will compete in the finals on the weekend. After the final races to be held on Sunday, July 14th on the Meriç River, a cup ceremony will be organized.