NI event to honour Olympics and Paralympics athletes

An official homecoming celebration for Northern Ireland’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes will take place in October, it has been announced.

The Paris Celebration Event is to take place at the SSE Arena in Belfast on 3 October.

The event aims to mark the success achieved by local competitors.

Sports Minister Gordon Lyons said “every local athlete who took part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris is an inspiration”.

A record seven medals were won, including four gold, in the Paris Olympic games.

Eight athletes from Northern Ireland took part in the Paralympic Games.

Competing for Team Ireland, Daniel Wiffin won gold and bronze, Rhys McClenaghan won gold and Philip Doyle won silver.

For Team GB, Hannah Scott and Jack McMillan won gold while Rebecca Shorten won silver.

Speaking to BBC News NI’s Good Morning Ulster on Wednesday, Lyons said there had been talk in the past about open bus tours and events at Stormont, but he added that he wanted to make sure that there was an opportunity “for everyone to join in”.

“We’ve had a pretty rough summer, both with the weather and some of the news that we’ve had to ensure over the last couple of months. One of the bright spots was the success of our Olympic athletes, so I think it’s something worth celebrating,” he said.

Lyons said the event is not just about those who won medals.

“If someone qualified for the Olympic or Paralympic games that’s a huge success in and of itself,” he said.

There have been a number of homecoming events to mark the success of local heroes following the Games.

One such event was hosted by Ards and North Down Council in Conway Square, Newtownards, to celebrate the 10 athletes from the borough who competed in the Olympics in Paris, including McClenaghan and McMillan.

October’s event will be hosted by BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson and tickets are released at midday on Wednesday.