Derry to welcome London 2012 Olympic Roadshow

The London 2012 Olympic roadshow, currently on a 3000-mile journey that began in London on July 6, is to arrive in Londonderry today.

The city of Derry is the first of four stops in Northern Ireland and the delegates will be taking the opportunity on their visit to the city to spread the word of the opportunities for Northern Ireland to be part of the sporting legacy of the 2012 London Games.

Marking the roadshow's arrival, Derry City Council has organised an evening of sporting skills displays and activity in Guildhall Square, which will kick off at 6pm and will include skills demonstrations from some of the Foyle Cup participating teams, displays from the North Star Basketball team together with music and giveaways with the Q102.9FM Roadshow.

The Mayor, Councillor Helen Quigley, will also take the opportunity to formally welcome the London 2012 delegates to the city, which will include Northern Ireland's Dame Mary Peters, a Gold Medallist in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Some of the city’s past Olympians and current sporting heroes will also form part of the welcoming party including Terry Watt (judo) and Neil McLaughlin (boxing).

After a civic reception in Guildhall Square, delegates and invited guests will move into the Guildhall main hall where they will witness Judo demonstrations from local medal winners who participated at the recent Commonwealth Games in Templemore Sports complex.

Derry’s only Olympic medal winner will also be remembered. The late Anton Hegarty, a member of the Great Britain Cross Country Team in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, won a silver medal.

Derry City Mayor, Councillor Helen Quigley said that the arrival of the roadshow offers an unique opportunity for the city to engage with representatives from the organising bodies in advance of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

“The city is the first stop on the Northern Ireland tour and it’s a unique opportunity to showcase the city's desire to be a location for pre-Olympic training and to spark the ambition of local and regional athletes to compete in the games. The city has an excellent track record in sport and for producing world-class athletes and this is a unique opportunity to meet directly with those involved in the games.

“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to come along to Guildhall Square next Monday to see at first hand, and show enthusiasm, for this unique sporting event."

(EF/SP)