At the age of 17, she was awarded Female Athlete of the Year and Paralympic Athlete of the Year this month and spoke to Turkish news outlet Anadolu Agency about her successful 2019.

"I received not only one but two awards this year," said Boyacı.

"As athletes, we receive medals and awards but it is more important to inspire people and be an idol for them."

Now, she is focusing on winning her first Paralympic medal off the back of becoming the first Turk to win a medal in swimming after she placed second at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in the 50 metres backstroke S5 category.

"We had the opportunity to work more and longer for the Olympics, which was postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak," she added. 

"Our country has never won any medals in swimming at the Olympics.

"I want to be the first athlete to achieve this."

Turkey have won a total of six gold medals, six silvers and 11 bronzes at the Paralympics - winning a record three Paralympic titles at the Rio 2016 Games, as well as a silver and five bronze medals.