TOHM athletes, who go to the cross-country skiing and biathlon training track at Kandilli Ski Center, are working hard to represent their country in international competitions with their roller skis.
In the city where cold weather has begun to take effect, athletes who train in the early hours of the morning are trying to cross kilometers of bumpy asphalt roads with their wheeled skis.
Athletes who use roller skis instead of the skis they use in the winter months have the opportunity to train throughout the year.
Athletes, who overcome both cold weather and difficult roads with fast-paced training, face all these difficulties to represent their countries in international competitions.
Two of the 6 TOHM athletes working in the branch in question are training to go to the 25th Winter Olympic Games, which will be held between 6-22 February 2026 in Milan and Cortina, Italy. Four of the athletes are training intensively to participate in international competitions organized by the World Ski Federation.
Erzurum TOHM Cross-Country National Team Coach Ömer Yusufoğlu said that they work in 4 groups with cross-country and biathlon athletes.
Stating that they are working for the Olympics and other organizations, Yusufoğlu said, “Our goal is to participate in the Olympics, which are held every 4 years, with as many athletes as possible. We carry out training programs every 4 years. In these 4 years, we continue with roller skiing, imitation, running and conditioning training during the summer season.” he said.
Yusufoğlu stated that they also train on the snow during the winter months and said, “Currently, 2 of our athletes in the team are candidates for the Olympics. With the other 4 athletes, we are preparing for international competitions organized by the World Ski Federation, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) competitions, world cups in Europe and world championships.” he said.
Stating that they carried out their work throughout the year, Yusufoğlu continued as follows:
“Our training opportunities are not limited because we work with what the weather and nature give us. This is already a nature sport and we try to do what is necessary. In the summer, we train with roller skis so that the children’s condition does not decrease, they improve their techniques and they can skate more regularly. We continue roller training in two styles, both classical and skating. It is the same in winter and there is no big difference between them, there is only a difference in materials, but the techniques are almost the same. In order for the athlete not to lose condition, summer and winter seasons “We are going through a preparation period, so we are trying to continue the summer season efficiently.”
ZÜLFİYE SOYASLAN: “WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE OLYMPICS FOR A LONG TIME”
National cross-country athlete Zülfiye Soyaslan also explained that she was 21 years old, had done athletics before, and started this sport about 9 years ago with the guidance of her brother.
Stating that he has many international successes, Soyaslan said:
“I have two gold and two silver medals in the Balkan championships. I have countless silver and bronze medals. We have been working for the Olympics for a long time. We have been working for the Olympics at TOHM for about 4 years. There is very little time left now. We continue our work at full speed. I hope we will qualify to go to the Olympics and represent our country in the best way. Even being a candidate for the Olympics is a great opportunity for me. I am happy and excited to be a candidate. I hope I qualify and go.”
Amar Botan Çiçek: “I am preparing for the upcoming championships”
National athlete Amar Botan Çiçek said that he is 18 years old and started this sport 8 years ago with the encouragement of his uncle.
Stating that he is preparing for the championships as a TOHM athlete, Çiçek said, “I am on the FIS team. The seniors are preparing for the Olympics, maybe we will participate in the Olympics in 2030. We have the world and junior championships ahead of us, I am working on them. We started this business with skating and then continued with skiing. I have been working in Erzurum as a TOHM athlete for 2 years.” he said.