Ataköy venue finally opens

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

The Turkish Indoor Championships become the first event at the Ataköy Sports Hall.

After concerns about it not making it on time, organizers managed to open the Ataköy Sports Hall in Istanbul with the Turkish Indoor Championships on Jan. 28, six weeks before the World Championships are due to start.

The Sports Hall became the subject of criticism after exceeding its original deadline. The opening races set for early January were canceled, fueling concerns that it would not be ready for the March 9-11 World Championship event in Istanbul. However, the weekend opening eased these worries.

On the opening day of the events, Hüseyin Atıcı broke the Turkish indoor national shot put record, the 19.25-meter throw winning him the gold medal.

While the Sports Hall looks ready, it was noted that its temperatures were not high enough, prompting former European 110-meter hurdles champion Nevin Yanıt to pull out of events.

“I came here to race, but I have a little ache in my leg and did not want to risk it,” she told Anatolia News Agency. “The cold played a role in this decision. In sprint races muscles can be strained due to cold and I did not want an injury.”