kurupetos wrote:Greece withdraws from World Children's Games due to Turkish Cyprus' presenceGreece withdrew Monday from the World Children's Games in Ankara due to Turkish Cyprus’ participation to the event, according to local officials.
"It is not possible to accept such an ill-minded and saddening behavior that makes children a tool of politics," Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek said in written statement.
The Greek team withdrew from the games on the first day of the First World Children's Games, which is being organized by the municipality and Directorate General of Youth and Sports to mark April 23, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Turkey.
Gökçek said the organizers had rejected Greece's demand to exclude Turkish Cypriots from the games and defined Greece's behavior as a blow against world peace and friendship.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php? ... 2011-04-25
The Incredible audacity and provocation of Turkey once again use sport in an effort to to get their puppet regime of Northern Cyprus recognized. The opening ceremony of the first World Children Games, hosted in Ankara, appeared with many children carrying the flag of the pseudo state.
Greece who is participating in the Games, withdrew from the games today in protest and returned to their base. It should be noted that Children from the occupied areas of Cyprus were taking part that are not recognised internationally.
The Republic of Cyprus was not invited.
Organizers spoke of an event that has no political character, and yet at the opening ceremony which was opened by the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, he spoke in Turkish amid apotheosis for about 40 minutes and not speaking one word of English.
The official site of the games, the Turks, and the Mayor of Ankara, Melich Gkoktsek, criticized the Greek groups saying they destroy the purpose of the games and how they use children for political games, and should support peace and civilization!
In this respect the Greek Volleyball Federation (EOPE) issued a direct statement that emphasizes:
The Greek team after competing in the morning against the Netherlands withdrew on advice from the Greek Sports Federation.
The Squad is expected to return to Athens Tuesday, April 26.
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