Thursday 2^nd March 2006 - The Sports Council for Northern Ireland today provided Lord Seb Coe OBE with a sample of the talented young athletes in Northern Ireland who are preparing for a Youth Olympics all of their own.

The 2012 Olympics ambassador delighted over 100 young athletes at the 2006 Youth Games launch, held in the Odyssey Pavilion.  After touring demonstrations by 15 sports including judo, hurling, soccer, high jump and basketball, Lord Coe addressed the audience saying, “I am delighted to officially announce that the 2006 Sports Council Youth Games will be held on Saturday 13^th May at venues across Northern Ireland.  I wish the 4000 competitors much success in their chosen sport and congratulate the Sports Council in organising the facilities, volunteers and teams and for hosting this vital preparation in a young athletes’ career.”

Chairman of the Sports Council, Professor Eric Saunders OBE welcomed Lord Coe.  “It is a great honour for the Sports Council to have Lord Coe here today.  As an accomplished athlete he is a great inspiration to the young athletes.  As a business leader he and his fellow Olympic bid team members have secured the greatest show on earth to be right on our doorstep.  These Sports Council Youth Games competitors are aged between 12 and 16 and it is possible, we have a young Olympian in our midst.  Many previous Youth Games competitors have gone on to compete at County and international level including Commonwealth Games competitor Melanie Nocher.  The 4000 young athletes are currently in regional training squads for their respective Education & Library Boards and we all look forward to a terrific, 7^th annual, Youth Games on the 13^th May.”

Sports taking part in The 2006 Sports Council Youth Games are:

Athletics                          Badminton                      Basketball Boys    

Basketball Girls                Basketball – Wheelchair   Boxing

Camogie                         Cricket (Boys)                 Cricket (Girls)                 

Cross Country                 EAD Swimmers                Waterpolo

Gaelic Football                 Golf                                Hockey Boys

Hockey Girls                    Hurling                            Judo

Netball                            Orienteering                    Rugby Boys

Rugby Girls                      Sailing                      Soccer County Squads

Soccer Girls                     Soccer MLD                     Sports Hall Athletics

Squash                            Swimming                       Table Tennis

Tennis                             Trampolining                    Volleyball