Inspirational athlete and torch bearers
Editorial Department • Published 31 May 2012 13:00
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There's no doubt about it -- there is a mounting anticipation about the coming Olympic Games.
Next week, the Olympic flame comes to its most westerly point when it arrives in Fermanagh in the form of the Olympic torch relay.
Among those bringing the flame to the streets of Irvinestown and Enniskillen are inspirational members of our community.
Already the flame has brought out people in their thousands to see the spectacle. Its time in Fermanagh is part of a 8,000 mile journey before the flame will be used to light the Olympic Cauldron in London.
Live coverage of the flame as it passes through Fermanagh will see the county being given a showcase to a wider audience.
It will be a family day out -- family fun events being organised by Fermanagh District Council will add to the event.
But the reason for it all are the Games themselves. What a fantastic achievement for local athlete Gavin Noble to be picked to represent Ireland at the 2012 Olympic Games. When we think inspirational, we undoubtedly think of him too.
The Enniskillen triathlete will be the first ever man from Ireland to contest the gruelling Olympic event when he lines up alongside the world's best on August 7 in London.
We may be excited about the torch run next week but all eyes will be on London to see how the Enniskillen man who has been working tremendously hard over the last number of months to make this a reality. With injury worries, he tactically withdrew from the Spanish race in the knowledge that he had already done enough and to prevent further damage.
His achievement to make it to London in August is immense. It is testament to his hard work and the support he has got along the way. That hard work has brought him around the world competing to secure a place and now he enters an elite number of athletes who are competing at the highest level.
The hard work continues to ensure he is in perfect conditions for his big day, travelling to Limerick to get treated by Olympic team physiotherapist and also to make use of a new altitude facility there. And the preparations continue with plans for Gavin to race in Austria in four weeks' time at the next World Championship Series event.
He can be assured that Fermanagh will be behind him.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 31 May 12
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