Menu
10/01/2006
Volunteers sought for Special Olympics
The Waterfront Hall in Belfast today played host to the organisers of the Special Olympics in Ireland as they appealed for help from the Northern Ireland public and businesses to assist them in staging the biggest sporting event in Belfast this year.
Secretary of State, Peter Hain and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern attended the ceremony, which showcased the £1.7 million national games in Belfast this June.
Mr Hain said: "It is truly an honour for Belfast to host the 2006 Special Olympics Ireland Games which will be the largest sporting event in Northern Ireland, indeed in the whole island of Ireland this year."
Dermot Ahern also praised the organisers saying that they had "established a proven and well deserved reputation for running highly successful events with the capability to infuse communities with its incredible energy and enthusiasm."
The opening ceremony is set to be held at the Odyssey Complex and will involve around 2,000 athletes, who will be competing in 12 sports in venues across Belfast and County Antrim.
Organisers at today's launch stated that they would need the help of up to 5,500 volunteers and asked for people to sign up early to allow time for appropriate training.
Chairman of Special Olympics Ireland, Fergus Finlay, said that Belfast would prove an excellent host city, and ever since the Special Olympic world games were held in Dublin, it has been their "ambition to hold a very significant national event in Belfast for a number of reasons.
"This is the most exciting event we have ever run and we are relying on the warmth, generosity and the commitment to sport of the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
The Special Olympics torch, The Flame of Hope, was carried into the auditorium by the Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI, Duncan McCausland and by the Deputy Commissioner of An Garda Siochana, Peter Fitzgerald.
The torch will be carried during a relay between Cork and Belfast between June 16 and 21 when the opening ceremony takes place in the Odyssey.
People wishing to volunteer were also urged to register online at a dedicated website, www.2006Games-belfast.com.
(EF/SP)
Secretary of State, Peter Hain and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern attended the ceremony, which showcased the £1.7 million national games in Belfast this June.
Mr Hain said: "It is truly an honour for Belfast to host the 2006 Special Olympics Ireland Games which will be the largest sporting event in Northern Ireland, indeed in the whole island of Ireland this year."
Dermot Ahern also praised the organisers saying that they had "established a proven and well deserved reputation for running highly successful events with the capability to infuse communities with its incredible energy and enthusiasm."
The opening ceremony is set to be held at the Odyssey Complex and will involve around 2,000 athletes, who will be competing in 12 sports in venues across Belfast and County Antrim.
Organisers at today's launch stated that they would need the help of up to 5,500 volunteers and asked for people to sign up early to allow time for appropriate training.
Chairman of Special Olympics Ireland, Fergus Finlay, said that Belfast would prove an excellent host city, and ever since the Special Olympic world games were held in Dublin, it has been their "ambition to hold a very significant national event in Belfast for a number of reasons.
"This is the most exciting event we have ever run and we are relying on the warmth, generosity and the commitment to sport of the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
The Special Olympics torch, The Flame of Hope, was carried into the auditorium by the Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI, Duncan McCausland and by the Deputy Commissioner of An Garda Siochana, Peter Fitzgerald.
The torch will be carried during a relay between Cork and Belfast between June 16 and 21 when the opening ceremony takes place in the Odyssey.
People wishing to volunteer were also urged to register online at a dedicated website, www.2006Games-belfast.com.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 October 2010
'Weakest Link' Special Olympics Quiz On Way
Irish pop band Boyzone have added their support to a major Special Olympics event taking place this Saturday - by putting two exclusive tickets and rare backstage passes to their forthcoming Belfast concert up for grabs.
'Weakest Link' Special Olympics Quiz On Way
Irish pop band Boyzone have added their support to a major Special Olympics event taking place this Saturday - by putting two exclusive tickets and rare backstage passes to their forthcoming Belfast concert up for grabs.
25 February 2003
Belfast to 'Share the Feeling' of Special Olympics
The people of Belfast are being urged this week to ‘Share The Feeling’ of the largest sporting and cultural event ever staged in Ireland. Over 6,500 special athletes from 160 international delegations will be taking part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin this June – which are being held outside the US for the first time.
Belfast to 'Share the Feeling' of Special Olympics
The people of Belfast are being urged this week to ‘Share The Feeling’ of the largest sporting and cultural event ever staged in Ireland. Over 6,500 special athletes from 160 international delegations will be taking part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin this June – which are being held outside the US for the first time.
24 July 2006
Three Ballymena Special Schools to amalgamate
The government has today revealed that three Special Schools in the Ballymena area are to amalgamate. The schools - Beechgrove Special School, Dunfane Special School and Loughan Special School will amalgamate on the former site of Ballymena Boys' and Girls' Schools on completion of a new building.
Three Ballymena Special Schools to amalgamate
The government has today revealed that three Special Schools in the Ballymena area are to amalgamate. The schools - Beechgrove Special School, Dunfane Special School and Loughan Special School will amalgamate on the former site of Ballymena Boys' and Girls' Schools on completion of a new building.
27 June 2022
First Special Olympics Ulster Event Held In Three Years
Communities Minister has welcomed the return of the first Special Olympics Ulster event in three years, with athletes 'going for gold' at Antrim Forum. More than 80 athletes competed in the two-day track and field events and were supported by a team of volunteers, coaches and family, who Minister Hargey thanked for their dedication.
First Special Olympics Ulster Event Held In Three Years
Communities Minister has welcomed the return of the first Special Olympics Ulster event in three years, with athletes 'going for gold' at Antrim Forum. More than 80 athletes competed in the two-day track and field events and were supported by a team of volunteers, coaches and family, who Minister Hargey thanked for their dedication.
21 June 2006
Special Olympics torch arrives in Belfast
The Special Olympics Ireland torch has arrived at Stormont on the eve of the Special Olympics Ireland Games.
Special Olympics torch arrives in Belfast
The Special Olympics Ireland torch has arrived at Stormont on the eve of the Special Olympics Ireland Games.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
