Turkish athlete Emine Hatun Mechaal was in tears at the European Indoor Championships as she reflected on the harrowing earthquakes which claimed the lives of 50 of her family members and friends.
Almost a month ago the cities of Antakya, Sanliurfa and Aleppo were left devastated by not one but two earthquakes, which left more than 50,000 people dead across both southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. Many more were left injured and without a home after the disaster.
Mechaal was at a training camp in Spain preparing for the World Indoor Athletics Championships at the time of the disaster, and after receiving a phone call from her brother, her world came crashing down.
"He was crying and saying, “People are dying here”,’ recalled the long-distance runner. “My family was in danger. They didn’t know where to get help.” Though the athlete’s immediate family members – while badly injured and left to sleep on the streets, did survive the quakes. But sadly others close to Mechaal were not so fortunate.
“I know 50 people around me who have died,” revealed the tearful 27-year-old. “My best friends, my best neighbours, my best cousins. My coach’s brothers and mum. Many others, we still do not have any news. We don’t know if they have died or they are in hospitals. We don’t know anything about them.”
Despite the pain and sadness Mechaal is feeling, she channelled her emotions into her performance in the 3000m at the ongoing European Indoor Athletics Championships in Istanbul. Cheered on by her home crowd, Mechaal ran a season’s best of 9.03.03 to finish seventh place and qualify for the final as a fastest loser.
The athlete was informed she had made the final during a post-race interview and the achievement was all the more sweater given the current hardship and despair caused by earthquakes in Turkey. “I was not focused for the last three weeks, but I said I have to stand in my lane and show people we can be together," admitted Mechaal.
“I was not 100 percent sure of my shape, but I heard people calling my name and it gave me more power. I saw my dad and my brother standing for me even though their legs are broken. It was for me the happiest moment in the world because I almost lost them. They were with my neighbours and slept five days on the street in the rain. I feel proud because they were so happy. There is nothing left to say. I have cried too much. But I am here and I am going to the final.”
It’s a feel-good story such as this that explains why the decision was made to go through with hosting the event given the tragic events that transpired 500 miles away.
“There was a debate over whether they should put the championships on, but I do see it as a way to bring people together and bring some positivity,” said British star Keely Hodgkinson, who is favourite to take the 800m title.
“We have spoken to some of the locals and they have said how it has really struck people all over Turkey. It is a tragic thing that has happened but hopefully the championships can bring some light in a dark time.”
