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The recent devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria led to the loss of over 50,000 people in latest figures by Al Jazeera. Among those who died were thousands of children. So in a moving gesture, the fans of two Turkish soccer teams — Besiktas and Antalyaspor — decided to honor the victims.
At exactly 4.17 p.m. during the game, the time the deadly earthquake struck, the match was paused to allow supporters to throw thousands of teddy bears onto the pitch.
The teddies lined the four sides of the field, uniting the opposing fans, and their fellow countrymen, in their grief.
The event was organized by the Besiktas fans, according to the Guardian video below. And the cuddly toys will be distributed to surviving children affected by the earthquake.
The moving video, which sees players applauding the fans and gathering up the thousands of bears, sums up the very best of sports, allowing people to come together and share their grief and desire to help.
And today we celebrate...