NI Conservatives’ culture, arts and leisure spokesman, Trevor Ringland, has welcomed David Cameron’s Olympic visit to Northern Ireland and spoken about the importance of London 2012 to this part of the UK.
“It Is wonderful to see the prime minister in Northern Ireland, emphasising that the 2012 Games are an Olympics for the whole of the United Kingdom”, Trevor said. “It was extremely appropriate that David Cameron visited the Bann Rowing Club, which has produced three of Team GB and NI’s leading medal hopefuls.”
“That’s an extraordinary achievement for Northern Ireland sport and it emphasises the central role which all of our competitors are playing in London 2012, for both the UK and Irish teams. Their example will inspire future generations and ensure the Games’ legacy benefits our part of the UK. Already Northern Ireland has played a starring role in the opening ceremony and the economy HAS benefited from £40 million of Olympic contracts, won by local companies.”
“Legitimate points have been raised about the name which the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team currently uses, and I’ll be taking them up with the sports minister, Hugh Robertson, after the Games. For the time being we should not allow these issues to spoil our enjoyment of a wonderful festival of sport, or tarnish the achievements of UK competitors”.
“The action has been thrilling so far, but there will be many more great performances and hopefully some medals to celebrate. The Prime Minister is right to emphasise today that the Olympics will leave a positive legacy in Northern Ireland, as well as the rest of the UK. The Games will benefit our economy, encourage children to participate in sport and, perhaps most importantly, spread the values of friendship, respect and doing one’s best.”