Gymnastics In The Late Ottoman Empire And The Young Republic Of Turkey (1863-1984)

Abstract

As in many other civilizations, the Turks have historically placed a high value on their physical strength, upheld a lifestyle intertwined with sports, and considered it essential to make sports activities a part of their lives. Modern sports practiced worldwide began to enter the Ottoman Empire during the Tanzimat Reform Era and steadily diversified during the Constitutional Monarchy Era, which marked the first stage of political, cultural, and legal liberation. The most significant outcomes were achieved in sports during this period, taking the initiative to introduce modern gymnastics to the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. This study aimed to assess the development of gymnastics in the late Ottoman Empire and the young Republic of Turkey (1863–1984) and reveal the institutions and individuals that played critical roles, as well as their efforts and influences, in the emergence and development of gymnastics in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. For this purpose, the study used the historical document review method, one of the qualitative research approaches, and accordingly reviewed state and university libraries and periodicals to access the relevant data. As a result, the study provided information about the dawn and historical development of gymnastics in the late Ottoman Empire and the young Republic of Turkey.