The London 2012 Olympic Games will commence in 500 days.
Today, Sports Minister Nelson McCausland used this milestone to highlight ongoing work to ensure Northern Ireland benefits from the world's largest sporting event being so close to our shores.
He said that great progress has been made on local Olympic volunteering, culture, arts and legacy projects, whilst announcements on training camps and events for Northern Ireland are expected shortly.
The Minister said: "Sport NI is working closely with its partners — my Department, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Invest NI, Disability Sport NI and the governing bodies of sport — to attract pre-Games training camps and events to Northern Ireland. I will be in a position in the coming weeks to announce significant progress on this front."
On the run up to Games Northern Ireland will stage four days of the Olympic Torch relay. The Minister said: “The Olympic Flame is one of the enduring symbols of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The torch relay will be in Northern Ireland for four days and cover our major towns and cities, providing an opportunity for everyone to get involved. It will provide significant international promotional opportunities in the run-up to the Games, highlighting Northern Ireland’s landscape and cultural offerings. Young people and sports stars from Northern Ireland will have an opportunity to be torchbearers. Details of the much anticipated torch relay route will be announced in the coming months.”
The Minister reported that to date 33 local projects have already been awarded the prestigious London 2012 Inspire Mark in recognition of their excellence and innovation. Focussing on how one of these Olympic inspired projects are making a difference, the Minister said: "Activ8 encourages children of primary-school age to get active and stay healthy; it takes the excitement and values of the 2012 Games into primary schools across Northern Ireland, promoting sport, physical activity and Olympic and Paralympic values. The project aims to reach over 91, 000 children between the ages of seven and 11, and that target is well on course to being met.
The Minister detailed other ways in which the Games are bringing cultural, social and economic benefit to Northern Ireland. He explained: "More than 300,000 people in Northern Ireland have engaged in arts and cultural events as part of the Cultural Olympiad, with this number easily expected to double as the Games approach.
"There has also been an excellent response from Northern Ireland volunteers willing to participate in the Games, with around 2,000 people already having expressed interest. This will leave a legacy of supported and skilled volunteers for future events to take place in Northern Ireland, such as the World Police and Fire Games in 2013.
"The Olympics have provided many opportunities for local businesses, with in excess of £24million in Olympic contracts having already been awarded to local firms. With the construction of the Olympic Park nearing completion, there will continue to be thousands more opportunities for Northern Ireland businesses to compete for Olympic related contracts from sporting equipment to catering services and beyond.
The Minister concluded: "I wish to commend all our local Olympic partners on their diligent efforts todate. With 500 days to go until the start of the Games we will not rest on our laurels and sharpen our focus to ensure Northern Ireland gets as much as it can from having the world's greatest sporting event on its doorstep."
