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09/04/2009
Mary Peters To Be Lord Lieutenant Of Belfast
A well-known NI sporting figure is to become the Queen's representative for Belfast.
The Olympic legend Dame Mary Peters - the hero of the 1972 Games in Munich, where she won gold in the pentathlon - has accepted an invitation to take up the role of Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of the city. She will replace the current incumbent Lady Romayne Carswell when she retires in August.
The 69-year-old, (pictured here) who already has a Belfast athletics track named after her, said she was extremely humbled by the latest honour.
Speaking on the BBC last night she said: "I just find it quite amazing that I should be put in this position.
"I would say a lot of former Lord Lieutenants have been from the aristocracy," the former secretary said.
"And I just think that maybe the time is right for somebody with a different background to take on the role.
"Lady Carswell is a very hard act to follow and I'm a great admirer of hers," she continued.
While Belfast is vying with regional cities across the UK to stage training camps for national teams preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games, Dame Mary, will be able to use here new position to highlight Belfast and districts' attraction when London hosts the Games.
"We're trying very hard to get teams to come here to do their pre-Olympic training, their final splash as it were.
"I hope that will inspire a lot of youngsters to see people coming, but you know every city in the UK is trying to entice teams so I'm going to have to play a very big role in trying to get them here."
She will have a busy time as Belfast has already won its bid to host the 2013 World Police and Fire Games.
Marking the first time that the games will ever have been held in the British Isles, the decision was announced at the start of the 2007 games in Adelaide, Australia.
Dame Mary Peters, who led Belfast's delegation to make the final presentation in Adelaide said: "It is impossible to understate the significance of this event to Northern Ireland.
"It will allow us to showcase the professionalism of our police, fire and prison officers and their athletic ability. Most importantly of all it will put Northern Ireland centre stage for all the right reasons," she said, at the time.
See: Belfast to host the 2013 World Police and Fire Games
(BMcC/JM)
The Olympic legend Dame Mary Peters - the hero of the 1972 Games in Munich, where she won gold in the pentathlon - has accepted an invitation to take up the role of Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of the city. She will replace the current incumbent Lady Romayne Carswell when she retires in August.
The 69-year-old, (pictured here) who already has a Belfast athletics track named after her, said she was extremely humbled by the latest honour.
Speaking on the BBC last night she said: "I just find it quite amazing that I should be put in this position.
"I would say a lot of former Lord Lieutenants have been from the aristocracy," the former secretary said.
"And I just think that maybe the time is right for somebody with a different background to take on the role.
"Lady Carswell is a very hard act to follow and I'm a great admirer of hers," she continued.
While Belfast is vying with regional cities across the UK to stage training camps for national teams preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games, Dame Mary, will be able to use here new position to highlight Belfast and districts' attraction when London hosts the Games.
"We're trying very hard to get teams to come here to do their pre-Olympic training, their final splash as it were.
"I hope that will inspire a lot of youngsters to see people coming, but you know every city in the UK is trying to entice teams so I'm going to have to play a very big role in trying to get them here."
She will have a busy time as Belfast has already won its bid to host the 2013 World Police and Fire Games.
Marking the first time that the games will ever have been held in the British Isles, the decision was announced at the start of the 2007 games in Adelaide, Australia.
Dame Mary Peters, who led Belfast's delegation to make the final presentation in Adelaide said: "It is impossible to understate the significance of this event to Northern Ireland.
"It will allow us to showcase the professionalism of our police, fire and prison officers and their athletic ability. Most importantly of all it will put Northern Ireland centre stage for all the right reasons," she said, at the time.
See: Belfast to host the 2013 World Police and Fire Games
(BMcC/JM)
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19 January 2016
Dame Mary Peters Appointed Patron Of NI Commonwealth Games Council
Dame Mary Peters has been appointed Patron of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council. The Northern Irish woman represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games between 1958 and 1974, winning two Pentathlon gold medals, and a gold and silver medal in the shot put.
Dame Mary Peters Appointed Patron Of NI Commonwealth Games Council
Dame Mary Peters has been appointed Patron of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council. The Northern Irish woman represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games between 1958 and 1974, winning two Pentathlon gold medals, and a gold and silver medal in the shot put.
26 October 2012
Freedom Of Belfast For Mary Peters
Dame Mary Peters looks set to be given the Freedom of Belfast. The motion calling for the honour is to be brought before the city council next week. The proposal came from SDLP councillor Pat McCarthy. He said: "This is the highest honour that Belfast can bestow on any person. "It is not being given because Mary just won a gold medal 40 years ago.
Freedom Of Belfast For Mary Peters
Dame Mary Peters looks set to be given the Freedom of Belfast. The motion calling for the honour is to be brought before the city council next week. The proposal came from SDLP councillor Pat McCarthy. He said: "This is the highest honour that Belfast can bestow on any person. "It is not being given because Mary just won a gold medal 40 years ago.
30 September 2011
'Team NI Executive' Backs '999 Team'
NI Executive Ministers have been celebrating with the Sports, Justice and Public Safety Ministers all joining forces and congratulating team members from the Fire, Police and Prison Services who recently took part in the World Police and Fire Games.
'Team NI Executive' Backs '999 Team'
NI Executive Ministers have been celebrating with the Sports, Justice and Public Safety Ministers all joining forces and congratulating team members from the Fire, Police and Prison Services who recently took part in the World Police and Fire Games.
05 September 2011
Emergency Services To Host 2013 Games
Northern Ireland took centre stage in New York today as the official handover took place for Belfast to host the World Police and Fire Games in 2013.
Emergency Services To Host 2013 Games
Northern Ireland took centre stage in New York today as the official handover took place for Belfast to host the World Police and Fire Games in 2013.
30 July 2021
Belfast Boxer Secures Olympic Medal
Belfast boxer Aidan Walsh is now guaranteed an Olympic medal after a quarterfinal win against Merven Clair of Mauritius. The team Ireland fighter came out on top with a 4-1 split decision at the Tokyo Olympics in the welterweight division, meaning he has secured himself at least a bronze medal.
Belfast Boxer Secures Olympic Medal
Belfast boxer Aidan Walsh is now guaranteed an Olympic medal after a quarterfinal win against Merven Clair of Mauritius. The team Ireland fighter came out on top with a 4-1 split decision at the Tokyo Olympics in the welterweight division, meaning he has secured himself at least a bronze medal.
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