Northern Ireland Olympics Team 2004

Northern Ireland Olympians 2004

Northern Ireland's finest sportsmen and sportswomen are preparing to take part in the ultimate sporting event, the 2004 Olympic Games, in Athens. Five men and three women will be going to Greece to compete in the 28th Olympiad at the home of the modern Games.

Swimmers Emma Robinson and Michael Williamson are joined by Portaferry sailor Frazer Brown and Richhill's three-day eventer Sasha Harrison.

Coleraine's Richard Archibald is part of the rowing team while Paul Brizzel is the only Northern Ireland Olympian to take part in athletics. Show jumper Jessica Kurten and Rower Alan Campbell complete the Northern Ireland representation.

Ballymena and Antrim club man Brizzel booked his ticket to Athens when he achieved the A standard time for the 200m in the World Championships in Paris last August.

On the water Fraser and his partner Dublin team-mate Tom Fitzpatrick form the 49er class after a solid performance in the World Championships in Greece last April.

Archibald is part of lightweight coxless fours along with Eugene Coakley, Niall O'Toole and Paul Griffin where they recently trained in Sweden under the supervision of national coach Thor Nilsen.

They booked their place via consistent performances through the World Cup series this year.

Eventer Harrison, 27, was chosen as a member of the Ireland equestrian team last month which makes up for the disappointment of missing Sydney due to an injury to her horse All Love Du Fenaud.

Swimmer Williamson from Lisburn smashed the Irish 200m breaststroke record at the British Olympic trials in Sheffield to book his ticket to Athens.

Coleraine-born Robinson was the first swimmer to achieve the A time standard in the 100m Breaststroke in breaking the Irish record.

Sports Council Chairman, Professor Eric Saunders OBE, today sent a telegram to the Olympians from Northern Ireland who are taking part in Athens 2004 and wished them every success for their competitions. (Please click here to view telegraph)

Athletes Profiles:

Paul Brizzel (Athletics)

Twenty-seven year old sprinter from Ballymena. Competed in 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and was then controversially omitted from the 2002 Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games team in Manchester. Currently coached by former Olympic Games sprinter Mike McFarlane.

Michael Williamson (Swimming)

Michael is the current British 200 metres Breaststroke Long Course Champion. A former student at RBAI and Coventry University he swims for the City of Coventry Club. Had a disappointing 2002 Commonwealth Games but is now back to his best form.

Emma Robinson (Swimming)

Twenty-six year old Breaststroke swimmer from Portstewart who is currently studying at Loughborough University. Was a member of the Ireland team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Clocked 1.09.19 in Sheffield in March to gain the ‘A’ Qualifying standard. Engaged to Irish Rugby International Jonathan Bell.

Fraser Brown (Sailing)

Fraser and his partner Tom Fitzpatrick will contest the 49er Olympic Class in Athens. Fraser, originally from Portaferry, has been ranked among the top 3 Laser Class sailors in Ireland and has been training full-time for the Games since 2001. He is presently world-ranking 17th.

Richard Archibald (Rowing)

Coleraine’s Richard Archibald is a member of the Ireland Lightweight Squad competing in Athens. Having taken a “year out” from University he has been rewarded with a trip to the Olympic where he will represent Ireland in the Fours.

Sasha Harrison (Eventing)

Richhill girl Sasha Harrison and her horse All Love Du Fenaud are competing in the 3-day event in Athens. Sasha suffered the disappointment of missing the last Olympics when, after having been selected for Sydney, her horse Precious sustained an injury and they were unable to travel. Hopefully she will have better luck this time.

Jessica Kurten (Show Jumping)

Jessica hails from Cullybackey, Co Antrim but is currently living in Germany. She has represented Ireland on numerous occasions and has been a member of the winning Nations Cup Team.

Alan Campbell (Rowing)

Alan Campbell is the sole NI representative on the British team for the Olympics. Campbell left school in NI age 16 and went to England where he was involved in the sports of rugby and cross-country running before making a name for himself as an international rower. Still only 21 he believes that he will not reach his peak until the next Olympics.