Earlier this week I had the pleasure of going to Northern Ireland with Seb Coe and Angela, the head of our Nations and Regions team, to help promote some of the opportunities the 2012 Games have created in Northern Ireland. The day started with organising
'Pied Piper' was a great one to choose as it involves lots of different art forms singing to dancing and playing instruments. We were all hugely impressed by Brian Irvine, the project lead, as he extracted some gorgeous sounds from the 60 or so the primary school children.
On then to a lunch with the local leadership group for 2012 Games, where leading policy and decision makers discussed their progress on all aspects of the Games including the securing business opportunities for the area and preparations for the forthcoming volunteering programme.
The University of Ulster was our last stop, where Seb formally opened the new £13m sports facilities for student, elite and community use. There he met boxer Paddy Barnes who won a bronze medal at the Beijing Games, and Paralympian Michael McKillop who won gold in the 800m in Beijing. Both are on course to compete in the London Games and the centre opened on Tuesday will be used by both of them over the next three and a half years.
Seb also received an Honorary Degree from the University in recognition for his long service to sport. At the reception afterward, we were able to make many new contacts and hear more from people who have taken the opportunity of the Games to make changes to their lives or make difference to the lives of others. Inspiring stuff!
