Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - Former Hokie swimmer Kaan Tayla, the 2008 ACC champion in the men's 50- and 100-meter freestyle, was named to the Turkish Olympic Swimming and Diving team that will compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
In qualifying, Tayla swam a personal-best time of 22.37 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle at a recent sectional meet held at Georgia Tech, solidifying his spot on the Turkish Olympic Team. Tayla battled fellow members of the Turkish Federation in hopes of posting his fastest time in the event in order to compete for his country this summer. The Ankara, Turkey, native holds the record for the fastest times in Tech history in both the 50 and 100 free, along with War Memorial Pool records in each of the events as well.
"We are very proud of Kaan for earning the opportunity to represent Turkey in the Olympic Games," Tech head swimming and diving coach Ned Skinner said. "It is an incredible accomplishment for him to earn his second trip to the pinnacle of the swimming world and we know he will represent his home country and Virginia Tech with pride and dignity."
"It has been fun working with Kaan this summer in his quest to make the Olympic team," Tech associate head coach Braden Holloway stated. "He continually swam faster and faster in his goal to be the top sprinter for Turkey. His determination was so focused that nothing was going to stop him."
Tayla, who is the Turkish national champion in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, also competed for Turkey in the 2004 Olympics before beginning his collegiate career. He plans to continue his training with the Hokies after the Olympics to race in future World and European Championships.