The University of Ulster is to host Olympic and Paralympic Games fencing hopefuls from the United Kingdom, Russia and Hungary.
Northern IrelandExecutive Sports Minister, Carál Nà ChuilÃn,announced today at Stormont that threeWheelchair Fencing teams from Hungary, Russia and Britain will train at the University from June 26 to July 3.
Dr Nigel Dobson, Head of Sports Services, said:“The University of Ulster is delighted to build on its recent successes in sport,with the announcement ofapre-Paralympic Wheelchair FencingCamp this summer for Hungary, Russia and the GB squad ahead of London 2012.
“Afterholdingthreeworld championships and numerous world cup preparation campssince2009,the world class facilities at the Jordanstown Campus have become recognised as the ideal base for high performance sport preparation.
“Many NI based Olympic and Paralympic athletes are currently training at these facilities ahead of the Games in London this summer and training and sports development camps will be held at the campus throughout the Games to inspire future local sporting talent.”
MinisterNÃ ChuilÃnsaid: “I am pleased three more teams have chosen Irish venues for their training in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Wheelchair Fencing is still a developmental sport here,so our Fencing Academy at the University of Ulster will not only provide the teams from Hungary, Russia and Britain with a superb environment to train.
“Our own athletes, coaches and junior squads will also benefit from seeing the best in the world on our doorstep."
Johnny Davis, a Northern Ireland Olympian who competed with the British fencing team at the 1988 and 1992 Games as well as five World Championships and five Commonwealth Championships, is organising theWheelchairFencingCamp.
He said: “Wheelchair Fencing is a highly competitive sport and very exciting to watch. Hungary, Russia and GB are considered some of the best teams in the world and it is a great compliment that they have chosen to train here.”
For more information on sports development camps at the University of Ulster visit www.sportsulster.com
