She became a naturalised Turkish citizen in June 2008, and took the name Melis in addition to her birth name Karin Mey.

She represented her adopted country at the 2008 Summer Olympics, competing in the qualifying stages of the long jump.

[citation needed] She jumped at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, but did not progress beyond the qualifying round.

Her personal best jump is 6.93 metres, achieved in July 2007 in Bad Langensalza, which is the South African record for the event.

In July 2009 she set a Turkish record of 6.87 metres[3][4] Mey qualified for participation in long jump event at the 2012 Summer Olympics.