Armenian Sport in the Ottoman Empire

Armenian Sport in the Ottoman Empire is refers Armenian Sport in the Ottoman Empire.

History

Armenian sports clubs and sportsmen played an important role in the development of sport in the Ottoman Empire. The number of the Armenian sports clubs in the Ottoman Empire reached 100.

The history of the development of Armenian sport and gymnastics in the Ottoman Empire takes its beginning from the end of 19th century, when the first athletic clubs and societies were established. Under the rule of the Sultan, being engaged in sports or athletics was strictly forbidden and those who broke this law were punished. After the coup d'état of Young Turks in 1908, the first Armenian athletic clubs and football teams were formed in Constantinople and Smyrna. During this period the first professional Armenian sportsmen - Shavarsh Chrisian, Mkrtich Mkrian, Grigor Hakobian and others played significant role in propagating athletics among the Ottoman Armenians.

In 1911-1914, four Armenian Olympic Games were held in Constantinople. From 1911 to 1914, Shavarsh Chrisyan published the "Marmnamarz" sports magazine, the first sports periodical in the Ottoman Empire. For the first time in the history of Turkish Olympic Games, two Armenian sportsmen Vahram Papazian and Mkrtich Mkryan represented Ottoman Turkey in the Fifth International Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912. In 1915-1920, many Armenian sportsmen became victims of the genocide and most of the Armenian sports clubs were shut down.

A unique phenomenon in the history of sport of the Ottoman Empire was the participation of two Armenian sportsmen in the 5th International Olympic Games in Stockholm. Armenian athlets Vahram Papazian and Mkrtich Mkrian became the first sportsmen who represented the Ottoman Empire in the International Olympic Games.

On the eve of World War I there were about 40 Armenian athletic clubs in Constantinople alone. Armenian football teams took part in team and international tournaments of several leagues in the capital. The most famous football teams were “Balta Liman”, “Araks” and “Torq”. The most famous team of Smyrna was “Hay Vorsordats Club” (“The Armenian Hunters’ club”). Armenian sport clubs were established also in Smyrna (İzmir), Nicomedia (İzmit), Karin (Erzurum), Marzvan (Merzifon), Samson, Adana, Van, Caesarea (Kayseri), Dortyol (Dörtyol), Trapizon (Trabzon), Konya etc.

In 1911-1914 the Pan-Armenian Olympic Games were organized with the participation of tens of Armenian sport and athletic clubs and societies. During the Games records were held and the winners were awarded with silver medals. In 1914 were also held the first “Cilician Olympic Games”.

Many Armenian sportsmen fell victims to the Armenian Genocide. Among them was Shavarsh Chrisian, the editor of “Marmnamarz”, and after it the publication of the magazine was stopped.

Marmnamarz

Marmnamarz
Մարմնամարզ

9th edition of the "Marmnamarz" in the October 1911
Former editors	Shavarsh Chrisian
Frequency	monthly
First issue	1911
Based in	Constantinople
Language	Armenian

The publication of the first sport magazine in the Ottoman Empire by Shavarsh Chrisian, called "Marmnamarz" ("Athletics") (1911–1914), offered an additional incentive for extending the interest towards the sport among the Ottoman Armenians. "Marmnamarz", the "body of national physical training", became the major instrument for the development of sport and athletic life among the Armenian population. This magazine published information about various sport games and their results, as well as published photos of Armenian and foreign athletes and Armenian football teams.^[1]

References

1. ^ (Armenian) Հայկական սպորտը Օսմանյան կայսրությունում

External links

• THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM-INSTITUTE - Armenian Sport in the Ottoman Empire
• Panorama.am - The role of Armenian Sport in Ottoman Empire
• PUBLIC RADIO OF ARMENIA - Display of the history of Armenian sport in Turkey to be held at the Genocide Institute
• THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM-INSTITUTE - An illustrated book published by AGMI - “Armenian Sport and Gymnastics in the Ottoman Empire”