Jim Mcdowell

Jim is a retired head teacher who worked voluntarily for over 25 years in the NI Schools Football Association , where he helped many schoolboys fulfil the sporting ambition of playing at an international level. His interest in sport extended to freelance reporting for local radio and newspapers and since his retirement he has spent many hours researching and writing passionately about the history of the Olympic Games. His greatest wish was to apply for tickets and attend the 2012 Olympics, however for the last two years he has been looking after his wife, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. He did not apply for Olympic tickets because he did not want to experience the excitement of the Games in London without her by his side. To be an Olympic torch bearer, would bring a little bit of the Games to Jim and give him another great story to write.