Amid the continued success of Northern Ireland athletes, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is set to cheer on competitors at the Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris.
The Minister will be attending athletics, boxing and golf events this week, with further events planned later in the month to mark the record-breaking performance at the Games.
Speaking ahead of his visit, he said: “As Sports Minister it is a real privilege to cheer on our local athletes at what has already proved to be our best Olympic Games.
“This is a time of unprecedented success for Northern Ireland on the world stage, with a record-breaking medal haul in the bag already from our athletes in both Team GB & NI and Team Ireland.”
Mr Lyons met with Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill during a recent visit to the Sports Institute at Jordanstown and said he believes Ms Hill and her fellow Olympians will inspire the NI public.
“I had the opportunity to catch up with some of our top athletes a few weeks ago as they prepared for the Games. I want to pay tribute to all their hard work and sacrifice and I am pleased to have this chance to mark their success and to express our shared pride in what they have achieved.
“They are an inspiration to us all and I have no doubt that they will encourage more people, of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport and become more active, more often.”
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Watch: Rhys McClenaghan preparing to compete for gold at the Paris Olympics