Istanbul 2020 Confident Growth in Paralympic Sport in Turkey will Boost Bid

Organisers of the Istanbul 2020 Olympic Games bid are confident that the growing profile of Paralympic sport in Turkey will boost their chances of being awarded the Games.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting World Cup in Antalya concluded this week where Turkey’s Muharrem Korhan Yamaç struck gold in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol.

Chairman of the Istanbul 2020 Bid Committee, sale Hasan Arat, said: “Paralympic sport is more popular and more widely available than ever before in Turkey. Our team’s record-breaking performance at London 2012 was a turning point, and now we are determined to maintain that momentum by bringing the Paralympic Games to Turkey.

“Istanbul 2020 will provide the grass-roots, community and elite facilities we need to bring sport to the ten million people with a disability in Turkey.

“More importantly, our Paralympic education programmes will build awareness of Paralympic sport and values, and create a generation of Paralympic heroes for our young people.”

The event followed some of the leading figures in Turkish Paralympic sport starting a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and increase participation figures.

Speaking in Youth and Sports Magazine, Mutluer Efe, a 16 year-old wheelchair basketball player, said:

“The Paralympic Games will demonstrate to the world how much our country cares for people with a disability.

“I hope I can be a top athlete in time to compete in the Games – just thinking about Istanbul 2020 is very exciting.

“As young athletes with a disability, we have already begun dreaming of it. It is time to live the Olympic spirit in Istanbul.”