 Salih Odabaşı (BIM/II) is an example of a successful student who pursues a remarkable sports career while at the same time juggling an academic life. In this interview, he talks about his first encounter with sports and the effects it has had on his life.
How did you first get involved with sports? Tell us about your sports career since then.
When I was a child, I was drawn to water. Firstly, I started swimming and then got involved in rowing when I was 11 years old. Just a year later, I started to attend competitions and was very successful. In no time, I was invited to join the national team.
I ended up winning silver and bronze medals in the Balkan championships, 6th place in the European championship and more than 50 medals in both national and international competitions.
What do want to say about your education and future life plans?
First of all, I should remark that it is almost impossible to be a professional athlete and a successful student simultaneously. For this reason, I pursued my sports career and education at the different times. So now, it is Bilkent's turn, and I am focusing on my studies. However, I have an intense desire to active in the sports community as a manager or something else in the future
How has sports contributed to your life?
Sometimes I cannot even believe that I spent such a long time pursuing sports, why I was up at the crack of dawn for those exhausting practices. Then I remember that I'm only as responsible and devoted as sports has taught me to be. No school in the world can teach the sense of fraternity that team sports teaches.
 Do you have any interesting memories you'd like to share?
I remember that once when we were in training camp and our coach woke us up at two o'clock in the morning. He told us that a new canoe had been bought for the senior team and that we could test it while everybody was sleeping. We quickly set up the canoe and took it down to the lake. After we tested it in the dark, we dried all the pieces of the canoe and packed it up. The next day there was a ceremony to present that canoe to the senior team. As you guess, the same smile was on the all our faces.
BY FATİH ÇAKICIOĞLU (IE/II)
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