The Sports Minister has welcomed international Olympic boxing teams who are in Belfast this week for their pre-games training camp.
Boxing teams from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Canada have arrived at the training camp at Queen’s University. Boxers from Argentina will arrive later this week and the men and women’s boxing team from Australia will arrive later this month, along with the Colombian team expected within the next week. As well as training at the Physical Education Centre in Queen’s the boxers will also train in Andersonstown Leisure Centre, Holy Trinity, Monkstown, Glengormley and Banbridge Amateur Boxing Clubs.
Speaking as she welcomed the boxers at the start of their training camp, the Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: “It is a privilege to welcome and host all of these teams as they train in preparation for the London 2012 Games which begin at the end of this month.
“My Department, Sport NI, local councils, sports associations and clubs have worked hard in preparation for these training camps. By the end of the games we will have hosted over 1,000 athletes from over 100 countries. This is a tremendous achievement and a real vote of confidence in our sports facilities.
“Having so many athletes come here to train ahead of the Games is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring sportsmen and women to see and experience what it takes to get to the highest level in sport. I wish all of the teams the very best of luck for their time at the Games.”
Dominic Walsh, Chair of Sport Northern Ireland echoed these sentiments saying: “Sport Northern Ireland has worked very hard with the Department and many others to attract as many Olympic and Paralympic athletes as possible in the run up to the 2012 Games.
“We are delighted that these boxing teams have chosen here as a training base before the Games and I would like to offer them all a very warm welcome. On behalf of Sport Northern Ireland, I wish all of the athletes the best of luck for the 2012 Games.”
Notes to Editors:
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