Shaping Bodies Shaping Minds: Selim Sırrı Tarcan and the Origins of Modern Physical Education in Turkey

This article discusses the role of Selim Sırrı Tarcan in the emergence of physical education in Turkey, which was an important component of the modernisation project of the Republic. Selim Sırrı Tarcan was a devoted moderniser who contributed to this process with his works and ideas in the field of physical education, a political project for the creation of strong and healthy citizens of the newly established nation-state. To analyse his contribution, we first establish the longer historical context that allows us to understand the development of modern education as a tool for shaping young generations. Second, we will focus on portions of Selim Sırrı Tarcan's biography for understanding the emergence of modern physical education and conclude by analysing his contributions to develop the archetype of healthy young citizens through modern physical education.