European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov also noted that the typical celebratory side events and activities would be minimized this year due to the circumstances.
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European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov expressed his condolences and support for the victims of the recent earthquakes in Turkey. This was during the press conference held prior to the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul from March 2-5, 2023. Karamarinov acknowledged that the championships were being held in the wake of a tragic event. He expressed his solidarity with those who had lost loved ones or been affected by the earthquake in other ways. He stated that the safety of athletes and the competition itself would be a top priority, and that the organization would provide assistance, support, and hope to the people of Turkey.
Karamarinov also noted that the typical celebratory side events and activities would be minimized this year due to the circumstances. There would be no local promotion for the Championships. Despite this, the event would have 593 athletes from 47 countries, with almost equal numbers of male and female participants. Karamarinov expressed his admiration for the hard work, commitment, and resolve of the Istanbul 2023 Local Organizing Committee and the Turkish Athletic Federation, whose efforts he found inspiring. He also thanked the Member Federations for their support and solidarity with Turkey, as well as their participation in various funding programs and projects.
To demonstrate the organization’s support, European Athletics pledged to donate €1 for every ticket sold since February 7, 2023, to the Istanbul 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships. Karamarinov concluded the press conference by adding his personal message of support to those written on the backboard used during the event, alongside messages from Dutch indoor 400m world record-holder Femke Bol and French double world champion Kevin Mayer.
Read more: European Indoor Athletics Championships 2023: LIVE Streaming, When and Where to watch, Schedule
He then discussed the upcoming championships, which would feature seven Olympic champions and 17 European indoor champions. This includes the Dutch men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams. The athletes competing in the event would be led by Lamont Marcell Jacobs in the 60m, Karsten Warholm in the 400m, Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the 1500 and 3000m, Miltiadis Tentoglou in the long jump, and Pedro Pichardo in the triple jump on the men’s side. Malaika Mihambo in the long jump and Nafissatou Thiam in the pentathlon would represent the women.
The press conference ended with a minute of silence to honor the victims of the earthquake. Karamarinov’s message of support and sympathy for the people of Turkey demonstrated the importance of acknowledging and addressing the effects of natural disasters and other tragic events on both the sports community and the wider population.
Read more: European Athletics Indoor Championship 2023: Athletes to watch out
