Mary Peters Track Celebrates Reopening

The Mary Peters track in south Belfast is hosting an international sporting event later this month to celebrate its refurbishment and reopening.

Competitors from England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are expected to attend the event, which is being hosted by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the British Olympic Association and Dame Mary Peters.

The event follows a £3m refurbishment of the track as part of Belfast City Council's £150m Investment Programme.

A specially commissioned bronze statue of Dame Mary, an Olympic Gold Medallist in the pentathlon will be unveiled to mark the occasion on 25 June.

Among the athletes confirmed for the event is Jason Smyth, a London 2012 Paralympic double gold medallist and the fastest paralympian in history.

Mr Smyth, from Eglinton in Derry, is the reigning Paralympian champion and also holds the world record in T13 100metre and 200m category.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Ó Muilleoir, said: "This is a fantastic event for everyone involved and a demonstration, ahead of this year`s World Police and Fire Games(WPFG), of how important this track is going to be in attracting high level competition.

"The facilities are world class standard but are being used also by schoolchildren and local athletes still striving to reach international level. Today`s competition is an inspiring opportunity for everyone in the city not just those directly involved in sport," he added.

John Allen, Secretary of Athletics NI, commented: "Athletics NI is delighted to have the Mary Peters Track re-opened and serving athletes of all ages. The upgraded facility will provide a foundation on which the sport of athletics can build upon in the future.

"Children from across Northern Ireland will be given the chance to take to the Track participate in a variety of events in front of family and friends and play their part in one of Northern Ireland's biggest ever Athletics events."

Dame Mary Peters said she was delighted that the track named in her honour would continue to serve Belfast and Northern Ireland.

"I congratulate and thank the Belfast City Council for their investment which I am sure will contribute to the future sporting success of athletes from Belfast and Northern Ireland," she said.

"I am delighted that Belfast has a truly world-class facility that will serve both current and future generations of young athletes for many years to come."

(IT)