Olympian Diver inspires Young Athletes

The London 2012 Olympic Games came a little bit closer today with a visit to Northern Ireland by Olympian and BT Ambassador for 2012, diver Leon Taylor.

The silver medalist will fulfil a number of engagements over a two day visit including providing an inspirational diving coaching session to Bangor Swimming Club and delivering an elite performance session to young athletes at the University of Ulster's Sports Academy.

'We are delighted to welcome Leon to Northern Ireland,' said Peter Morris, Consumer Director, BT. 'As official communications services partner to the London 2012 Games, BT's global expertise and technical know-how has a huge role to play in making the Games happen. BT will carry every image, every commentary, every sports report and every visit to the Games' website with planning and preparation for this massive undertaking, of course, already well underway. In the lead up to the Games we are also eager to bring to life the excitement and fervor of the Olympics by enabling people in Northern Ireland to benefit from the experience of some superb Olympians.

'Leon is a hugely inspiring figure and there is no doubt that the young athletes in Bangor and at Jordonstown will benefit from his zeal, passion and commitment to his sport.'

On the first of his engagements Leon, who secured the UK's first Olympic medal in diving for 44 years at the 2004 Games in Athens, will give a practical diving session to up and coming talent at Bangor Swimming Club, soon to benefit from the construction of Northern Ireland's first state-of-the-art Olympic sized swimming pool.

Commenting on the visit, Mayor of North Down, Councillor Tony Hill, said: 'Leon's visit will provide a huge boost to both the coaches and swimmers from Bangor Swimming Club and I know that they are all eagerly anticipating the coaching session. The diving facilities at the existing leisure centre in Bangor are limited but we are keen to develop a nucleus of divers prior to opening our new leisure centre, with Olympic-sized swimming pool, which we will be starting to build in Spring 2010.'

At the University of Ulster Leon will be given a tour of the state-of-the-art Sports Academy before having lunch with a number of local and international students, including a South African hurdler and a USA volley ball player.

Dr Nigel Dobson, Director of Sports Development and Services at the University, said: 'We are delighted to welcome a world class athlete like Leon to the Sports Academy. His visit will undoubtedly inspire the many young sports men and women on the road to 2012.'