The Minister was joined at the event by Olympic Gold Medallist and World Rowing champion, Steve Williams OBE, Bill Morris, Director of Culture, Ceremonies and Education, London 2012 and Stephen Kingon, Chair of, Investni. The Ulster Hall event “Participate”, included a range of partners already involved with the 2012.
The event was open to the public between 1pm and 2.30pm on Friday.
Sports Minister Nelson McCausland said: "To mark the countdown to 2012 everyone across the UK is being encouraged to participate in an open weekend event. With three years to go now is the time for everyone – for business, government, communities and individuals to think about how they can engage in what is a once in a lifetime experience. The Olympics will never again be as close to these shores – and we can all play a role in the Games.
“In Northern Ireland we already have several programmes underway. We want to inspire young people to get more active and tackle obesity. The Activ8 and Disability Sports 5 Star Challenge do so through encouraging over 100,000 young people to get involved in sports. Businesses in Northern Ireland to date have benefited through achieving £60million of contracts connected to 2012 and we have presently 850 business registered on Competefor and ready to capture business opportunities as they arise.
“Five Northern Ireland programmes have also won the London 2012 Inspire mark in recognition of their work in preparing for the Olympics. This includes the Volunteer Development Agency and their GoldMark programme which is a dynamic volunteer initiative designed to promote and recognise sports volunteering among young people aged 16-24."
In conclusion, the Minister said: “In relation to sport, and as part of NI's contribution to the 2012 celebrations. I would like to develop a Hall of Fame of Northern Ireland's sports people who have been achievers across a spectrum of sporting activity and I have asked officials to consider the possibility of bringing together memorabilia from statutory, voluntary and private collections with the intention of forming it into an exhibition in 2012”.
Steve Williams, Gold Medallist coxless fours, Athens and Beijing said: "As an Olympian, I am delighted to be in Northern Ireland today helping to celebrate the various ways in which Northern Ireland is involved with and benefitting from London 2012. I wish everyone well with their future projects."
The event at Ulster Hall is open to the public between 1pm and 2.30pm and includes exhibits from all the partners involved in delivering 2012 activity such as volunteering, sport, arts, education, business and tourism. This event launches‘ Open Weekend’ and for a comprehensive list of events taking place during weekend of 24-26 July please go to www.dcalni.gov.uk
Notes to Editors:
1. An action packed Open Weekend is planned with events taking place all around Northern Ireland, focusing on raising awareness of how everyone can participate in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will be an annual event taking place at the end of July for the next three years until the opening of the London 2012 Games on 27 July 2012.
2. London 2012 Open Weekend is sponsored by BP.
3. Northern Ireland’s events registered so far can be found at: http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/open_weekend_listings
4.Media facilities will be available on Friday 24 July at 10am. Please contact the press office below for more information. A media invitation will also be issued for this opening event.
5. All media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 9051 5045 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
