04/07/2003

Belfast to pay tribute to Special Olympians

Northern Ireland's Olympic athletes are to get a Special welcome home tomorrow when Belfast Lord Mayor, Martin Morgan leads an official tribute to last month's World Summer Games stars.

Northern Ireland’s Special Olympians will parade through the centre of Belfast, from the Art College in York Street to the City Hall, where Open Arts will re-enact ‘Summer Solstice’, the dance-drama which formed the centrepiece of the spectacular World Games opening ceremony just a fortnight ago.

The Lord Mayor will then host a massive reception for all the athletes and performers. During the reception, Bank Of Ireland will present a cheque to the Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Special Olympics World Summer Games Belfast Host City Programme.

The money was raised by bank staff who participated in a sponsored abseil to raise funds for the City’s hosting of Team USA in the week prior to the World Games.

Fielding 30 athletes in Team Ireland, Northern Ireland’s participants brought home no less than 35 medals from the Games.

Special mention must be given to 12-year-old gymnast Conor Maguire from west Belfast who arrived home on Monday with seven medals on show.

(MB)

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