Istanbul 2020 Bid Enhanced after Wheelchair Basketball Win

Wheelchair basketball team, Galatasaray Abe Lions becoming World Club Champions has boosted Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as it shows disability sports are prospering in the nation.

Following Turkey’s record performance at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, there has been a surge in Paralympic sports in Turkey. Turkey says its mission is to set new national and international benchmarks in barrier-free living through hosting the 2020 Paralympic Games.

Istanbul 2020 bid committee executive Ali Kiremitcioglu said: “Galatasaray’s success in the World Club Championships in recent years illustrates the growing strength of disability sport in Turkey, as well as ensuring that it remains high on the public agenda and at the forefront of people’s minds. Promoting and supporting disability sport is a fundamental aspect of our bid.

“London 2012 was an inspiration to us and the people of Turkey, and we hope to recreate that effect, particularly among young people. Our delegation grew from 16 athletes in Beijing to 67 athletes in London, and our medal tally increased from two to ten. Turkey can look forward with great optimism to Rio and beyond, because Paralympic sport here is growing and improving all the time.”

Istanbul’s Olympic Training Centre will have dedicated facilities to support Paralympic athletes in 2020. Transport systems will be enhanced for the specific requirements of Paralympic athletes throughout both Games.

All 21 venues nominated for Paralympic competition, as well as the Paralympic Village, will be designed or upgraded to meet international accessibility standards, supporting the development of new accessibility benchmarks in architecture and urban design in Istanbul and Turkey.