The DUP MP said, “Our local athletes achieved unparalleled success at the Paris Olympics. Amongst the 38 athletes from Northern Ireland there were six medallists, personal bests and they returned home with the support and pride of us all.
The medals won, personal bests achieved, and every performance was the culmination of hard work and determination across many years. It also cannot be ignored that athletes require funding in order to deliver that success. That will also be necessary, albeit within the current difficulties that exist, as we seek to build for future success also.
As a representative for East Londonderry, I see one template of success from Bann Rowing Club, looking back from 2012 until the present day. That club is a shining example of the calibre of athletes that Northern Ireland can consistently produce.
I am delighted to see cross-party support from across the House of Commons from MPs who not only recognise the success of Northern Ireland athletes but join in our celebration of them.”
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The text of the motion is below:
“That this House notes the outstanding success at the Paris Olympic Games of athletes from Northern Ireland, with many achieving personal bests and six athletes winning medals including Hannah Scott and Jack McMillan with gold, Rebecca Shorten with silver for Team GB, Daniel Wiffin with gold and bronze, Rhys McClenaghan with gold, and Philip Doyle with silver for Team Ireland; expresses the hope that funding can continue to be made available so that these successes can be built upon for the future; and draws attention to the remarkable success of the Bann Rowing Club with Hannah Scott joining the Chambers brothers and Alan Campbell in the 2012 Games providing four Olympic medals from a small club in Coleraine.”