Turkish NOC’s First Science Days Highlight Science as Key to Olympic Success

The Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) successfully hosted its inaugural Science Days on 13–14 November 2025 at the Turkish Olympic House, bringing together leading experts from Türkiye and Europe to explore how science can elevate athlete performance and Olympic achievement.

Opening the event, the NOC President Ahmet Gülüm emphasized that sustainable success is impossible without integrating science into sport. Reflecting on his own athletic career, he noted that a disconnect between scientific research and sports practice limits the potential of Turkish athletes, and bridging this gap is essential to reaching new levels of achievement.

The Chair of the NOC Science Commission, Prof. Dr. Aysel Pehlivan described the event as a “laboratory of ideas” for Turkish sport, highlighting that Olympic success depends on a holistic approach combining psychological, sociological, physiological, and biomechanical factors.

The two-day programme featured discussions on mental resilience, performance psychology, training load management, recovery, nutrition, and athlete health. Experts shared evidence-based strategies to enhance performance, prevent injuries, and prepare athletes for elite competition, culminating in a session that proposed a science-driven roadmap for Türkiye’s journey to Los Angeles 2028.

With over 20 speakers and more than 300 participants, TOC’s Science Days set a new standard for integrating research into sports practice. The committee plans to make Science Days an annual tradition, ensuring that scientific advancements continue to guide the future of Turkish sport.