Istanbul Rumeli University’s pride, national para swimmer Umut Ünlü, achieved a historic success at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Ünlü won a gold medal in the men's S3 200-meter freestyle final with a time of 3:19.53, once again reaching the top. With this victory, Ünlü became the first athlete in Turkish sports history to win two gold medals at the same Paralympic Games. This double victory is not only a personal achievement but also a triumph that proudly represents our country on the international stage.
This double victory at Paris 2024 is a result of Umut Ünlü’s years of hard work, determination, and discipline. Ünlü, who has previously made notable achievements in other championships, proved himself once again in these games. As an athlete who has elevated Turkey’s flag to the highest level, Ünlü continues to inspire the younger generations. His determination and sports discipline stand out as some of the most concrete examples of the Olympic spirit.
Umut Ünlü’s success reflects the support and opportunities provided by Istanbul Rumeli University to its athlete students. Our university, which combines success in sports and education, has adopted an educational approach that allows talented students to utilize their potential to the fullest. Ünlü’s great success is also proof of how effective the opportunities provided by our university in both education and sports can be.
Umut Ünlü has become a role model in the sports world, not only through the medals he has won but also as a figure who inspires young people. His determination, belief in his success, and the will to overcome challenges serve as an example for all athletes and young people. Istanbul Rumeli University believes that this great victory of its athlete will be a source of inspiration within the university community and throughout Turkey.
Despite the challenging atmosphere of the tournament, Ünlü made history with his determination and perseverance, overcoming the difficulties he faced in the early days of the event. Speaking about the challenges of the tournament, Ünlü expressed the pressure he felt in the initial days, saying: "The tournament was really tough for me in the beginning. Adapting to the atmosphere was a bit difficult. The pool was filled with 40,000 people every evening. Swimming in front of 40,000 people was something I had never done before in my life. In the early races, I finished 7th in one and 6th in another; I was trembling when I entered the pool. Then, I decided I was going to finish this round."
Despite the challenging start, Ünlü did not lose motivation and focused on success. As the races progressed, he turned the atmosphere in his favor and mentioned that the support from the fans increased his motivation. "In the later races, I started to draw the atmosphere towards myself. When I entered the race, I would greet the audience, and they would greet me back. The cheers and chants motivated me incredibly, and when I was in the race, I aimed to do my best and finish as soon as possible," he said.
Emphasizing that having the national anthem played and raising the flag were unforgettable moments in his life, Ünlü shared his feelings: "Having the national anthem played there, getting people to stand for it, and raising our flag to the skies was an incredible feeling."
