Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is "impressed" by plans for Northern Ireland's first 50m swimming pool.

Last week at an evening briefing for Local Authorities organised by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), North Down's Mayor, Dr Stephen Farry, MLA, had the opportunity to meet Lord Coe and to show him the Council's plans for Bangor's Olympic-sized 50m pool, which is being funded via the 2012 Elite Facilities Programme.

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The Mayor said: "It was a great pleasure to meet Lord Coe and to gain a better insight into LOCOG's vision for 2012. North Down is, of course, already benefiting from the Games, having been selected as the preferred bidder to build Northern Ireland's first 50m swimming pool.

"On meeting Lord Coe I had the opportunity to show him Council's plans for the 50m pool. He commented that they were very impressive and bore a striking resemblance to the Aquatics Centre in London—Council is, in fact, using the same architects."

Lord Coe stressed that improving sporting infrastructure and encouraging young people to develop their sporting ability, would give Northern Ireland a lasting legacy from the 2012 Games. He believes that London 2012 will offer the Province opportunities to change lives on and off the sporting field.

(GK/JM)