Selim Sırrı Tarcan: a Pioneer in the Development of Physical Education and Sports in Turkey

Selim Sırrı Tarcan was one of the most important significant figures of modern physical education teacher education in Turkey. He played a crucial role in the organization of physical education and sports in schools and Olympic Games in Turkey. Tarcan served as a soldier, physical educator and director of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Tarcan also wrote articles in the newspapers, held conferences on the radio and organized several meetings for spreading the physical education and sports for the purpose of public adoption. He held the first conference in the field in Istanbul when he returned from Sweden. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to explain contributions of Tarcan in four areas: his interest in physical education and sports, teacher preparation, contribution to formal, and informal education in Turkey.