The world’s oldest sporting event has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Turkish daily, Hurriyet, reported.
The 659th edition of the Kırkpınar olive oil wrestling championship will not take place for at least two more months. The event was scheduled for the first week of July.
“In line with the opinion of the scientific committee [of the Ministry of Health], we can plan the wrestling for September,” Recep Gürkan, the mayor of Erdine, the town in which the competition is held, said organizers in a recent conference call.
See Also:Kirkpinar CoverageLike in much of the rest of the world, the pandemic has disrupted normal life in Turkey. While the spread of the virus is considerably lower than it was at its peak, the country is still averaging more than 1,000 new cases each day and has suffered a death toll of more than 5,000.
Kırkpınar’s organizers also acknowledged that when the event returned, it would be quite different.
“Wrestlers who will participate in Kırkpınar will be tested,” Musa Aydın, the president of the Turkish Wrestling Federation, said. “[Afterwards] there will be no interference from outside, there will be no entrance or exit. A few thousand people will be together in this camp.”
Aydın added that this could change depending on the situation, but all measures being taken were in line with Ministry of Health’s guidelines.
The lack of spectators will be disappointing for the event organizers and wrestlers, as Kırkpınar’s popularity had been growing in recent years.
Record-breaking crowds showed up to watch Ali Gürbüz claim his third title last year.
The 659th edition of the Kırkpınar was also set to be a celebratory one: 10 years since the competition was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event.
Each year, thousands of contestants show up in the northwestern city of Erdine to compete for the the title of başpehlivan — or head wrestler — and the nearly-$10,000 prize.
Wearing only a kıspet — the short, leather pants after which the event is named — and drenched in olive oil, participants wrestle in pairs for a week until only one man is left standing.
It is estimated that about two tons of olive oil is used each year during the event.
Dec. 15, 2023
Meet the Start-Ups in Central Italy Reviving Abandoned Olive Groves
The startup Ager Oliva in Tuscany and the association Le Olivastre in Umbria are committed to restoring abandoned olive groves through adoption plans for citizens and companies.
Jun. 26, 2023
Canneto Sabino: A Living Legacy of Sabina's Olive Oil Tradition
With roots dating back centuries, the millenary Canneto Sabino symbolizes the history and tradition of olive oil production in southeastern Lazio.
Dec. 7, 2023
Celebrating South America's Historic Olive Trees
The organization Sudoliva documents and preserves historic olive trees which tell the story of the European colonization of Latin America.
May. 17, 2023
Global Olive Oil Production Predicted to Rebound
USDA economists project that production will rise in Europe and Tunisia.
Aug. 16, 2023
Community Milling in California: Small Growers Encouraged to Reserve Early
From October through December, mills across California will open their doors to hobby growers.
Oct. 23, 2023
Europe Approves PDO for Memecik from Aydın, Turkey
Aydın Memecik is set to become the country's third Protected Designation of Origin for olive oil.
Apr. 11, 2024
Turkish Producers Pray Export Ban Ends with Ramadan
While the prohibition on bulk exports has helped control domestic prices, producers worry it has hurt their credibility with international partners.
Jun. 19, 2023
Pandolea Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary in Rome
The non-profit focused on women’s health and sustainability celebrated the anniversary with an award ceremony and launched a new project.