Ana İçerik

Ali Sami (1881-1951), the second son of the literary writer Şemsettin Sami, is the number 1 founding member of Galatasaray Sports Club and a valuable sportsperson who was among the founders of the Association of Turkish Training Communities. During his lifetime, he made very important contributions to the development and dissemination of sports in our country. Both athletes and educators have benefited from the works he wrote for generations. Many of Ali Sami Yen’s sports-related works have been translated into Latin letters. No study has been found regarding this book. For this reason, it is thought that it is important to present this book, especially about swimming, diving, water polo, and lifesaving, to today’s researchers, readers, and the sports community.

The book consists of three parts. In the first part, all the general rules of the Association of Turkish Training Communities regarding swimming, diving, water polo, and lifesaving are given. Afterward, the articles of the entire “Laws of the International Swimming Federation” were written. This section is especially valuable in terms of bringing national and international swimming federation legislation up to date. In addition, in the first part, there is information about swimming styles, training and pools of that period. In the second part, “diving”, which is accepted to be implemented by the Association of Turkish Training Communities, is included. Diving rules accepted by the International Swimming Federation in June 1914 have been accepted by Turkey as well and all these rules are included in the second part of the book. Scoring table for diving and diving styles are explained with pictures. At the end of the second part, there is information on how to do diving training. In the third part, general rules of lifesaving, competition types, and a scoring chart are presented with pictures. Again in the third chapter, strategies on lifesaving techniques in water are given and these are supported by visuals. At the end of the third chapter, the dangerous situations for those swimming in open water are explained together with the precautions that can be taken. The end of the third section is devoted to water polo. In this section, where international water polo rules are explained, water polo is introduced and all international rules regarding the competitions are written.

This book, which was examined and officially accepted by the Maritime Union Delegation, whose current counterpart is the Swimming Federation; was a reference book for trainers, referees, teachers/trainers, and athletes in those years.

Keywords: Ali Sami Yen, swimming, diving, water polo, lifesaving, Turkish Swimming Federation