At the General Assembly Meeting of National Olympics Committee, representing Turkish Basketball Federation on April 6th 2021, Dr. Argüden introduced the idea of “Olympics Unite” for a collaborative effort to organize the Olympics by Türkiye, Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. He shared this view with the general public at the Award Ceremony, as the recipient of the ‘Boğaziçi Sports Ambassador’ Award on December 20, 2021.

Sports Ambassador

At the Boğaziçi University Sports Award Ceremony, Dr. Yılmaz Argüden was recognized as the “Boğaziçi Sports Ambassador”. First International SportsFest was organized when he was the President of Boğaziçi University Sports Committee (1979–80). He played for the Boğaziçi University Basketball team that won the National Championship twice in a row (1977 & 1978). He served on the board of Anadolu Efes Sports Club and later as the Vice-Chair of the Turkish Basketball Federation.

‘Boğaziçi Sports Ambassador’ Award recipient Dr. Yılmaz Argüden proposes to organize the Olympic Games under the theme “Olympics Unite” with the collaboration of “Türkiye, Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Italy.”

The Awards Ceremony that was organized by the Boğaziçi University Sports Committee to recognize top achievers in numerous sports fields. The recipient of the ‘Boğaziçi Sports Ambassador’ Award, Dr. Argüden said “Sportsmanship spirit unites people from different countries and cultures and motivates all to perform their best. Collaboration in organizing the Olympic Games by countries that host key religious sites such as İstanbul that has been the capital of three global empires from different religions, Jerusalem, Jeddah, and Rome could provide an opportunity to build much needed bridges between different religions and cultures for the common good of humanity. Such a joint effort will not only be an important message to unite the efforts for a sustainable future, but also make the ever-increasing costs of organizing the Olympic Games more economic and will also increase the attraction of the Games to larger audiences. Sharing this idea at the Boğaziçi University that is recognized by the importance it places on meritocracy, inclusiveness, and diversity, and that is located in a city that connects continents is aligned with the proposed theme of “Olympics Unite”. It is an honor for me to receive this prestigious Award and to share this idea at the 41st anniversary of initiating the first international SportsFest at the Boğaziçi University as a Student leader of the Sports Committee in 1980.”

Recommendation at the General Assembly meeting of the National Olympic Committee:

“Sportsmanship spirit unites people from different countries and cultures and motivates all to perform at their best. I would like to suggest organizing the Olympic Games jointly in Istanbul, Jerusalem, Jeddah, and Rome to motivate collaboration of different cultures for a better world.” – April 6, 2021

“Organizing the Olympic Games in collaboration with the countries that host key religious sites such as; İstanbul –the capital of three global empires from different religions, Jerusalem, Jeddah, and Rome, could provide an opportunity to build much needed bridges between different religions and cultures for the common good of humanity. Such a joint effort by Türkiye, Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Italy will not only be an important message to unite the efforts for a sustainable future, but also make the ever-increasing costs of organizing the Olympic Games more economic but also will help Olympic Games to attract larger audiences…”

Engagements with Leaders

Bringing the “Olympics Unite” idea to the agenda of the Sports Ministers, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, UN Secretary General António Guterres, FIBA President Sheikh Ali Al Thani, and the International Olympic Committee, as well as the relevant heads of states.