Thousand Olympic Athletes To Train In NI

A thousand world-class athletes will be training in Northern Ireland in the run-up to the summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Three wheelchair fencing teams announced today that they have chosen the University of Ulster's Fencing Academy to host them for a training camp before the contests in London.

Teams from Hungary, Russia and Britain will train on campus between June 26 and July 3.

They join the Paralympics teams of Jordan and Ireland, Cuba and Australia’s Olympics boxing teams, Chinese gymnasts and the athletics teams of Sudan, Qatar and Egypt in training in Northern Ireland.

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín made the announcement at Stormont today and said Northern Ireland had "exceeded expectations".

She said: "Wheelchair Fencing is still a developmental sport here so our own athletes, coaches and junior squads will also benefit from seeing the best in the world on our doorstep. I am glad we have been able to play our part in one of the largest global sporting events."

The wheelchair fencing training camp will be organised and delivered by local man Johnny Davis who competed with the British fencing team at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games.

Mr Davis said: "Wheelchair Fencing is a highly competitive sport and very exciting to watch. Hungary, Russia and GB are considered some of the best teams in the world and it is a great compliment that they have chosen to train here."

The wheelchair fencing competition in the Paralympic Games takes place from 4th-8th September with 100 competitors.

(NE/GK)