Twenty NI Athletes At London 2012 Olympics

Twenty athletes from Northern Ireland are taking part in the Olympic Games that started at the weekend in London.

Their sports range from judo to triathlon, and make up the largest contingent yet to travel to the Olympics from Northern Ireland.

Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin wished the athletes all the best, saying: "Being part of the greatest sporting event on earth is a once in a life-time opportunity for many of us to witness and participate in especially when it is all happening so close to home.”

The Northern Irish Olympic athletes are:

•Na Liu: Table Tennis

•Iain Lewers: Hockey

•Alan Campbell: Rowing

•Richard Chambers: Rowing

•Peter Chambers: Rowing

•Wendy Houvenaghel: Cycling –Track

•Michael Conlon: Boxing

•Paddy Barnes: Boxing

•Hannah Craig: Kayak – Ki Racing Event (Canoeing)

•David McCann: Cycling – Road Race & Time Trial

•Martyn Irvine: Cycling – Track: Omnium

•Joseph Murphy: Equestrian Eventing

•Lisa Kearney: Judo

•James Espey: Laser Sailing

•Ryan Seaton: Sailing 49er Class

•Matt McGovern: Sailing 49er Class

•Melanie Nocher : Swimming 200m Backstroke

•Sycerika McMahon: Swimming 100m Breaststroke

•Aileen Morrison: Triathlon

•Gavin Noble: Triathlon

They will be followed by seven Paralympics athletes from Northern Ireland at the Games later in August.

Ms Ni Chuilin praised the athletes' "excellence and endeavour" and hoped the eleven women involved, the highest number of Norhern Irish females to compete in any Olympics to date, would inspire more women and girls to take up sport.

(NE/GK)