Countdown to London 2012 underway

Sports Minister Nelson McCausland today highlighted that there are only two years to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Minister said: “The journey began back in 2005 when London won the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since then my Department has been working closely with a range of key partners to ensure that the Games will leave a lasting legacy for the people of Northern Ireland.

“A great deal has been achieved to date, on a sporting, social and economic level. For example, a total of 20 local projects have been awarded the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark in recognition of their excellence and innovation. These projects have already had a considerable positive impact and will continue to do so in the run up to the 2012 Games and beyond, with combined projected participation figures of almost half a million people.

“On the economic front, local businesses have won contracts for providing facilities and services for the 2012 Games, which is great news for the local economy.  Work is also ongoing to attract teams to undertake their pre-Games training in Northern Ireland, which will again be a bonus for our economy.”

The Minister concluded:  “Northern Ireland has a successful track record at the Olympics, from Dame Mary Peters to Alan Campbell.  I am confident that many of our local athletes will be taking part in the Games, with many of our leading sportspeople already focusing their training efforts towards 2012.”

Notes to editors

1. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is the private sector company responsible for staging and hosting the 2012 Games.
2. The Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games will take place on Friday 27 July 2012.
3. 29 August 2010 marks the two-year countdown to the 2012 Paralympic Games, as the Opening Ceremony will take place on 29 August 2012.
4. The Inspire Programme is a UK-wide initiative which is managed by LOCOG, with Programmers based in each nation and region of the UK. It is a broad participation programme spanning sport, culture, education, sustainability, volunteering and business. New opportunities are being created everyday to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in. For more information please go to www.london2012.com/beinspired or contact the Inspire Programmer for Northern Ireland, Julie Jamison, at julie.jamison@dcalni.gov.uk
5. Media enquiries to Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office on 028 9051 5046 or email DCAL Press Office