The host of the Historical European Cross Country Championship is Kepez.

The promotion launch of the 30th European Cross Country Championship was held at Dokumapark, hosted by Kepez Municipality. Speaking at the meeting, Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin said, “Antalya is a city of culture, art, and sports. With its climate and geography, Antalya becomes a sports center that the world desires to come to during these months.” Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz, emphasizing the value of athletics for international peace and friendship, stated, “Let the championship be a win for sports, let the world win peace, let Kepez win, let Antalya win, let Turkey win.”

The SPAR European Cross Country Championship, which will take place on December 8 at Dokumapark, is organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Turkish Athletics Federation, hosted by Kepez Municipality. The promotional launch of the championship, which will be held for the first time in Turkey, was carried out at the Modern Arts Gallery with the participation of Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin, Kepez District Governor Nusret Sahin, Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz, Athletics Federation President Dr. Ahmet Karadağ, Acting Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Buğrahan Bozkurt, Athletics Federation Board Member Özgür Ulupınar, and members of the press.

More than 600 athletes from 40 countries will participate

Athletics Federation President Dr. Ahmet Karadağ stated that the national team has won 22 gold, 11 silver, and 15 bronze medals in the cross country championship so far. Noting that Turkey is the fourth most successful country in athletics after Britain, France, and Spain, Karadağ mentioned that over 600 athletes from 40 countries will participate in the competitions, and 3,200 guests are expected.

“We have provided a new athletics infrastructure for Kepez”

Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz expressed that they gathered for a beautiful event on behalf of the country, Antalya, and Kepez, as well as for sports and athletics, and for international peace and friendship. Announcing that the European Cross Country Championship, which will be held on December 8 in cooperation with the Athletics Federation, is organized for the first time in Turkey, Mayor Kocagöz stated, “It brings us special happiness that this championship is held in our country, especially in Antalya and our district. I sincerely thank everyone who contributed. Our goal of making Kepez a sports center, a sports city, has been further strengthened with this championship. With the support of our federation, we quickly implemented the athletics track and provided a new athletics infrastructure for Kepez.”

“We will reveal the reality of Kepez with the cross country championship”

Continuing his words by saying, “Seeing the cross record holders and champions of Europe and the world in Kepez is truly a historic event for us,” Mayor Kocagöz expressed, “It is even hard to express the happiness of hosting such an international championship. The success of our district, our province, and our country depends on everyone carrying the flag of service with cooperation and love for service. It is clear that Turkey needs central and local government cooperation in every field. We are achieving this in the best way in Kepez. This championship is also taking place with the cooperation of our Ministry, Governorship, Federation, Municipality, and relevant institutions. I believe we will succeed with this beautiful cooperation. We want to promote Antalya not just with sea, sand, and sun, but with sports and our culture. Saying Antalya does not only mean Konyaaltı or Muratpaşa. We will reveal the reality of Kepez with the cross country championship thanks to you.”

Athletics for peace and friendship

Stating the value of athletics for international peace and friendship, Mayor Kocagöz said, “At a time when the world, especially the Mediterranean, Palestine, and Lebanon need peace, it is also an important matter that a message of international sports friendship will rise from Turkey. Together, with the support of you esteemed media members, we will carry out this championship with a success worthy of our country and Antalya. In the European Cross Country Championship to be held in Kepez, let sports win, let world peace win, let Turkey win, let Antalya and Kepez win.”

Antalya, a city of culture, art, and sports

Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin expressed his satisfaction with hosting the 30th European Cross Country Championship in Antalya. Noting that Antalya has become a city of art and sports thanks to its perfect climate and geography, especially in autumn and winter, Sahin said, “The excitement of the Culture Road Festival is felt everywhere in Antalya. On October 29, within the framework of the 101st anniversary events of the founding of our Republic, we exhibited 101 works by Turkey’s most important painters in the hall where the launch was made. The paintings on your right and left are among Turkey’s most important artworks. We are also here for a sports activity in this hall. The cross country championship is very valuable for Antalya. Antalya is a city of culture, art, and sports. During these months, Antalya becomes a sports center that the world is eager to come to in terms of climate and geography,” he stated. Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin also added that they expect a record participation in the championship.

Cross country running track from Kepez to Dokuma

The championship was brought to the district in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Turkish Athletics Federation. The flag of the 29th European Cross Country Championship, held in Brussels, Belgium, in 2023, was handed over to Antalya Kepez Municipality. The old Dokuma Factory campus, located in the city center and covering 488 acres, was selected for the Antalya 2024 SPAR European Cross Country Championship. Kepez Municipality created an 1800-meter long grass cross country running track in an area of 20,000 square meters for the international competition. The Kepez Cross Running Track, built according to professional racing standards, is the first of its kind in Turkey.