FOREWORD 

  'Treatment of Olympism with all its aspects" is the fundamental principle of 
the studies of NOA of  Türkiye. The importance of such studies concerning 
Olympism make itself felt better with each passing day. 
One of the most important common features of every National Olympic Com- 
mittee - and naturally of its regulations - is Olympic Responsibility. lt would 
not be overstanding to say even the most important and greatest of our duties 
comes out by means of the Olympic Responsibilty. Because, therefore the man 
feels responsible for the whole mankind. And because Olympism concerns not 
only sports but the soundness and friendship of the whole mankind and the uni- 
versal peace of today and future. 

  Everything created by mankind has to progress parallel to man's progress. 
What stays still regresses. For this reason it is a must of Olympic Responsibilty 
to hold the Olympism in its place and to recomment upon it continuously re- 
garding the progresses of the era. Olympism makes itself known by means of a 
special field of action, the sports. Sports is a large - even becoming larger - 
and dynamic family which has different fields for a man with any kind of taste. 
Yet. today a different situation is in question : While Olympism is experienced 
in a considerable large ratio of this family, it is not even mentioned of at the 
rest. New fields of sports arise and trends to join the activities in nature which 
are non-competitive but intense concerning its sportive because of its sportive 
origin. Specifically because of the most important problem resource of the era. 
the over-urbanization and industrilization. 

  Moreover the history of some of these activities go back to very earliers. But 
Olympism is not remembered in these activites. Why? I do not really belive that 
there is a counter attitude towards those branches of sports. Indeed there is no 
evidence of such an attitude. Only it is restricted in certain limits. However 
every new sportive activity should be commented again regarding the funda- 
mental concepts of Olympism. Otherwise a vicious circle will arise. We have to 
take Olympism into consideration in its own dimensions. This is what our NOA 
committee tried to accomplish by the Olympic Climbs. 

  The 1st International Climb, which was performed between the dates 28th June 
and 7th July, was not only an event of sports. The participants accomplished a 
two day seminar on the subjects of Olympism, the mountaineering sport. Soli- 
darity, Friendship and Peace. The Olympic Flags were taken to the summits 
and again the declaration was read. The young mountaineers, besides the in- 
tense sportive struggles, discussed, expressed their feelings, presented a decla- 
ration and strengthened the love bond extending from mountains to entire man- 
kind. Olympism deserves this. For this reason we will maintain the olympic 
climbs by developing and perfecting them. This is a must of the great responsi- 
bility we feel for you. 


Best regards. 
Sinan ERDEM 
President 
N.O.C. of  Türkiye