13/09/2004

Lord Coe enlists NI support for London's Olympic bid

Northern Ireland stands to make huge financial gains if London is successful in its bid to stage the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, according to Sports Minister, Angela Smith.

Ms Smith made her statement at Parliament Buildings this morning to mark Sebastien Coe's one-day visit to the province to outline the bid process. Tory peer and former Olympic gold medalist, Lord Coe, is helping to lead the bid.

Ms Smith said that Northern Ireland was in a position to offer a range of training facilities and top-class accommodation, as well as being an excellent tourist location, should London win the nomination.

A successful London bid would also increase the profile of sport here and in turn improve the nation's health, she added.

London's rivals to host sport's premier event include Paris, Madrid, Moscow and New York and the result will be announced in July 2005.

A Regional Co-ordination Group has been set up by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to prepare Northern Ireland for the bid.

(MMCG/GMCG)

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