On his first overseas visit as President, Michael D. Higgins made a landmark tour of London’s Olympic Park with the Chair of LOCOG, Lord Sebastian Coe. Irish Paralympic athletes and management were also invited to participate in yesterday’s special event.

Special event

Paralympics Ireland were represented by President Jimmy Gradwell, CEO Liam Harbison and athletes Michael McKillop (pictured above) and Sarah Caffrey.  In conversation, President Higgins expressed his full support for the Irish Paralympic Team and their efforts to succeed in London later this year. 

Lord Coe’s Certificate of Irish Heritage

The guests which also included OCI President, Pat Hickey and Olympics-bound gymnast, Kieran Behan, witnessed the President Higgins present a “Certificate of Irish Heritage” to Lord Coe in honour of his Irish ancestry (Ballyraggat, Kerry). The President also quipped that had we known of Lord Coe’s ancestry 30 years ago, Ireland may have won more Olympic medals!

London’s Olympic Stage

Looking out across the stadium where he will defend his T37 Paralympic 800m title, Michael McKillop was excited:

“It looks fantastic, I can imagine 80,000 people – many of them Irish – cheering us on to victory.  Being here today really brings it home how close we are to the Games.”

Invitation to attend the Games

During the event, Liam Harbison extended an invitation to President Higgins to attend the Paralympic Games later this year.  We’re thrilled that President Higgins replied positively – if he does attend, he will become the first Irish President to do so.

(Photo courtesy of Malcolm McNally – Irish Post)

An exciting partnership was launched today when Paralympics Ireland unveiled CityJet as its official airline partner. 

London 2012 Paralympic Games

CityJet will fly the 2012 Irish Paralympic team and management before, during and after the London 2012 Paralympic Games. To mark the association, Paralympics Ireland’s logo now sits proudly on a CityJet aircraft (pictured above).

Location

CityJet’s core hub of London City Airport is ideal for the team and management as it offers the quickest way to reach all of the Olympic venues in east London. This proximity and the frequency of service (up to six flights daily) will also be key for the thousands of Irish fans expected to travel to London for the Paralympic Games

“Pride and enthusiasm”

CityJet CEO, Christine Ourmières flew in from France to take part in the aircraft-naming ceremony with swimmers Darragh McDonald and James Scully, plus CityJet’s Kieran Rice and Melissa Ruddy. Christine was thrilled with the partnership:

“As an Irish airline, we’re proud to be able to carry the official Paralympic team to the Games.”

“To show our pride and enthusiasm, we’ve dedicated one of our aircraft in their honour, and we hope that between now and the Games, all of our passengers will see, and join in support of the Irish team. We’re looking forward to cheering them on in September!”

Liam Harbison, Paralympics Ireland CEO acknowledged the backing of this key partnership:

“CityJet will provide vital support to the Irish Team and management at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

“Huge numbers of Irish supporters are expected to travel to the Games and flying to London City will have them closest to the action in Olympic Park.”

For more information about flying from Dublin to London City with CityJet, please click here.