Turkish diner owner has healthy appetite for Games

TIANJIN－The women's Freeski Big Air of the Winter Games shown on TV aroused cheers from a Turkish eatery in North China's Tianjin, which features cream-yellow arched windows and walls decorated with rustic tapestry lit by multicolored glass lamps.

"I am really looking forward to feeling the ice and snow in the 'Snow Ruyi'," says the restaurant's owner, 31-year-old Turkish Alp Nogay Yavrucuk.

As one of the Beijing 2022 outdoor venues, the National Ski Jumping Center earned this nickname as it resembles the shape of ruyi, a traditional Chinese ornament symbolizing good luck.

Apart from the Snow Ruyi, the amateur skier is crystal clear about the ski fields in the Chongli district of Zhangjiakou city in North China's Hebei province, and he could not wait to rush there with his ski boots.

"I've skied since I was 3 years old. And skiing with my family on winter weekends is one of my fondest childhood memories," he recalls, pouring black tea from the slender spout of a silver-colored teapot.

Yavrucuk was born into a sporting family in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. "My grandfather and father were both engaged in sports, and my father was a professional skier," he says.

Stepping on the boards, edging, carving, then braking－these beautiful moves are riveting to Yavrucuk. "I'm really into Alpine skiing. I enjoy sliding on the snow, especially at speed, which makes me feel exhilarated," he says.

Yavrucuk used to spend a few weeks every year at some famous ski resorts in Europe to compete with skiers from all over the world.

Yavrucuk then chose to come to fast-developing China and open a Turkish restaurant in Tianjin. "Compared with Beijing and Shanghai, Tianjin has more space for development."

In his seven years in China, he has seen the burgeoning of snow sports and a greater number of ski resorts have sprung up in many cities.

"Spurred on by the Winter Olympics, the recent snow seasons have seen more novice skiers. I saw some kids try and fall again and again with their little snowboard on an outdoor ski slope in Tianjin," he says, smiling.

Official data indicates that the number of Chinese people who have participated in winter sports training, amateur or professional competitions, and winter sports-related leisure activities has reached 346 million－about a quarter of the country's population. It surpassed the goal of 300 million set in 2015 when Beijing won the Olympic bid.

Yavrucuk gathered with his Turkish friends on the evening of Feb 4 to enjoy the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Turkey has sent seven athletes to compete in short-track speedskating, Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and ski jumping.

When Turkey entered the arena, Yavrucuk stood up and cheered with friends.

Athletes walked through the "China Gate" inlaid with traditional Chinese patterns used on windows and doors, and onto the "China Window" with its changing pictures of the country's magnificent scenery and landscapes.

"We were so overwhelmed by all the cultural and natural elements," he says, adding that he believes the overall creativity reflects the values and philosophies of the Chinese people.

Olympic sports have become the main conversation topic of the young diners in this Turkish restaurant, where the walls are inspired by the signature rock formations of Turkey's Cappadocia. The ceiling, decorated with continuous silk tapestries, remind visitors of Istanbul's bustling Grand Bazaar.

"It feels really great to witness the breathtaking Olympic moments with my guests and talk about the stories of athletes from all over the world while serving them Turkish delicacies," Yavrucuk says.

Xinhua