Irish sporting representatives from national organisations and local clubs across Dublin, including boxer Bernard Dunne and Marco Tardelli, Assistant Manager of the Irish Soccer Team joined Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello to celebrate the start of “Dublin – European Capital of Sport 2010” today.
The Launch Ceremony took place in St Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle today where Cllr. Alan Christian Rizzi from Milan, Italy, holder of the 2009 City of Sport designation, presented the European Capital of Sport flag and trophy to Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello.
Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello announced the appointment of eleven ambassadors of sport from Dublin’s sporting communities to celebrate the achievements of the Capital and its citizens in winning the award. A delegation from the EU and the Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES) organisation were in attendance along with representatives from the GAA, IRFU, FAI and a wide range of sporting organisations.
“Dublin City Council is delighted to partner with so many sporting organisations this year to promote sport and active living to more people,” said Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello. “During this Capital of Sport Year, I look forward to giving myself more time to get out and be active. I love walking and swimming and I hope to use the opportunity of the European Capitals of Sport year to take up new activities. I will be encouraging all those that I meet when I’m out and about to enjoy being active this year too and to make lifetime changes that will reap benefits long into the future.”
At the ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Dublin announced the eleven Dubliners who will join Bernard Dunne as “Ambassadors of Dublin Sport 2010” and present each with a piece of engraved Dublin Crystal. The eight men and three women were chosen from nominations by communities and sporting organisations across Dublin. They are from a wide range of sports - Karate, Boxing, Football, Athletics, Special Olympics Athletics, GAA, Volleyball, Fencing, Hockey, Orienteering and Softball – and include people who coach and referee, individuals who established sports clubs and those involved in running clubs and participating in sports at all levels.
“Our Ambassadors of Sport give an enormous amount of their time, energy and personal commitment in order to make Dublin the sporting city that it is. We commend them and are very grateful for all that they do. I hope that by highlighting how these individuals contribute to their sports and in turn help to strengthen communities, that others will be inspired by them to get involved in sport too,” said Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello.
“As a Dubliner, as a sportsman and as an avid supporter of all sports, I am delighted and honoured to be the Ambassador for Dublin European Capital of Sport 2010,” said boxer Bernard Dunne. “Along with all the clubs and sporting bodies in Dublin I aim to motivate people to be more active this year and get involved in some sporting activity. It doesn’t matter what sport they chose, so long as they start moving and enjoy being active and healthier.”
The “Dublin - European Capital of Sport 2010” dedicated website www.dublinsport.ie , provides details about what is happening during the Year, including sporting fixtures, photos and video from events, a map of sporting facilities and profiles of the Ambassadors of Sport. We are also using Twitter (http://twitter.com/dublinsport ), Facebook (http://short.ie/dubsport2010fb ) and Pix.ie (http://pix.ie/dublinsport ) to promote activities throughout the Year.
“We encourage all sporting organisations to publicise what they are doing on www.dublinsport.ie , and our vision is that this website develops and grows long after the Year to become a one-stop point where clubs can promote what they are doing and where spectators, participants and visitors to the Capital can go to check out information about all Sport fixtures and activities in Dublin,” said Karl Mitchell, Sport & Active Living Manager, Dublin City Council.
“We wish Dublin people an enjoyable and active Year. Dublin was chosen by the European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES) because of the huge participation by people in Dublin in all levels of sport, the variety of sports on offer in the city and the high level of volunteerism, from local clubs to stadium management,” said Gian Francesco Lupatelli, Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES). “Dublin City Council’s partnership approach to sport and recreation and the importance that Dublin City puts on encouraging all sectors of society to get involved in sport and recreation were also impressive factors in designating Dublin as European Capital of Sport 2010.”
ENDS
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