Turkey produced their most successful appearance at a Paralympic Games at London 2012 claiming one gold, five silver and four bronze, and Istanbul 2020 chairman Hasan Arat believes that this growth could help secure the Games for Istanbul.

"Paralympic sport is more popular and more widely available than ever before in Turkey," he said.

"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."

Arat also spoke of the legacy that hosting a Paralympic Games would have on disabled people living in the country.

"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," he said.

Turkey had their most successful Paralympics at London 2012, including a bronze medal in goalball

"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."

At the IPC Shooting World Cup event in the Turkish city of Antalya, Turkey's own Muharrem Korhan Yamaç clinched gold in the men's 10 metre pistol event.

The event took place as a new nationwide campaign from the biggest names in Turkish parasport got underway in an attempt to further promote disability sport in the country.

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."

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