Yusuf Dikeç and President Seçer posed together for the iconic photo that the world is talking about.

National athlete Yusuf Dikeç and Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer posed together for the iconic photo that the world is talking about. National athlete Dikeç stated that this pose actually has a 24-year story, saying, “This position has been the same for approximately 24 years since we started shooting. In fact, it was the same position when I became the world champion in 2011. I think the reason this pose attracts so much attention is that it reflects the Olympic spirit.”

Dikeç, who won a silver medal in the mixed category of 10-meter air pistol with his teammate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and made a name for himself with his style during the competition, visited Mayor Seçer. Mayor Seçer, who hosted National Athlete Yusuf Dikeç, congratulated him for introducing Turkey to the world in an international Olympics and for his outstanding success. Dikeç thanked Mayor Seçer, saying, “I always give Mersin as an example wherever I go, saying, ‘You are an example of municipal services in 81 provinces.’ You are one of the biggest municipalities supporting amateur sports, and I say this sincerely.”

Mayor Seçer emphasized that Dikeç’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has remained in the memories, stating, “You made Turkey a topic of conversation in the world, and we thank you on behalf of our country. Your previous presence and service in Mersin was perceived by the citizens as ‘Our honorary Mersinite.’ The people in our city are proud of that.”

Dikeç expressed his immense happiness in achieving such success for both Mersin and Turkey, saying, “The country also needed such a success in this environment, in this geography. It is a source of pride that the world accepts such an athlete.”

“The pose actually has a 24-year story”

Emphasizing that such achievements and results that touch the human spirit are gained through effort, work, and sacrifice, Mayor Seçer also commented on Dikeç’s statements in the press regarding the iconic pose, saying, “I read somewhere that you expressed your feelings with ‘You cannot be successful with your hands in your pockets;’ I completely agree.”

Discussing the iconic pose, Dikeç said, “When the press members asked, I actually wanted to emphasize this; ‘If you think big, you cannot become a champion with your hands in your pockets, whistling. You need to work hard, train a lot.’ After this statement, friends wrote, ‘You said this, but your hand was in your pocket.’”

Dikeç pointed out that the pose has a 24-year story, continuing:

“This position has been the same for approximately 24 years since we started shooting. In fact, it was the same position when I became the world champion in 2011. I think the reason this pose attracts so much attention is that it reflects the Olympic spirit. The world saw that pure, clear success that is in line with the Olympic spirit, free of doping, equipment, and gear, showcasing the natural human body and talent. The world recognized the athlete most suitable for the Olympic spirit, which made us very happy on behalf of our country.”

“Sports is an ambassador of international peace”

Mayor Seçer pointed out the unifying power of sports, emphasizing that such sports competitions are very important as they bring together people from different cultures and nations. He stated that a small city like Mersin, which embodies Turkey, also includes people from different cultures, regions, ethnicities, and belief groups, just like sports. “Sports and cultural-art activities bring people together. That’s why we say ‘sports mean peace.’ Sports is an ambassador of international peace. In this sense, the work you do and the success you have achieved is very valuable and sacred. It also contributes to world peace,” he said, wishing for continued success. After the speeches, National athlete Dikeç posed for the iconic photo with Mayor Seçer, which the world is talking about.

Dikeç gifted Mayor Seçer the same shirt he wore at the Olympics, signed, while Seçer presented Dikeç with a bust of Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring in Roman mythology. The visit was also attended by Emrullah Taşkın, the Head of the Youth and Sports Services Department of the Metropolitan Municipality, and Dikeç’s coach, Erdinç Bilgili.