The first international sports event organized in Turkey: 1935 Balkan Games

The purpose of the study after the formation of the Balkan Union, it was necessary to examine what dynamics prevailed in the political relations countries established among themselves, efforts to build mutual trust, and most importantly, how sport was used as a means of reconciliation and peace. The wars experienced shook the established order in the Balkan countries and led to major political changes. Communities trying to adapt to the new conditions, created as a result of these changes, tried to find different ways to improve relations, and the biggest activities for this were sports events. In this respect; The sports event that became the most popular in the Balkans and turned into an area full of interaction was the Balkan Games. In the process of establishing the Balkan Games; Diplomatic relations between the Balkan states, economic and political agreements concluded from 1929 to 1935, the Balkan Conference and the Balkan Pact, were explored in detail, and the games followed the two-way relationship between sport and politics. As in other sports, Turkey wanted to achieve success in athletics, but in the adventure of the Balkan Games, it did not go as hoped. Despite all that, Turkey's most prominent place at the Balkan Games was the 1935 Games. Trusting the organization to Turkey was very important in terms of the recognition of the country and raising awareness of sports in the country in general. The Balkan Games, which are very important for events in the Balkans, tried to be organized simultaneously with the Balkan Conferences, so the games and political activities are organized in parallel. These two activities, which took place in parallel with each other, began to fall short of expectations over time and the Balkan Pact could not be implemented as it should have been. However, the Balkan Games played a major role in the formation of awareness of goodness, peace and unity among societies, and became a means of connecting Balkan nations, eliminating conflicts between states within the framework of friendly relations, and they have preserved their existence as a symbol of peace and reconciliation to this day.