By Volunteer James Irwin
The first day after the
official opening ceremony of the Games and events taking place at 15 venues
across Northern Ireland. No disrespect to the soccer and ice hockey, but today
signalled for many the real start of these World Police and Fire Games.
I was privileged to be at the
Mary Peters Track in Belfast, where the track and field events got under way.
The pageantry and colour on display at the soccer 11s yesterday was repeated
manifold here, and when the first starter pistol reverberated around the
welcoming man-made terraced grass steps surrounding the track, everyone knew
they were part of something special.
And from the off there was a
local hero to cheer on and be inspired by. Brendan McConville is a 34 year old
firefighter stationed at Knock in East Belfast and for him these games
represent a competitive swansong on home territory and a unique opportunity to
win a medal for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
A decathlete,
Brendan was part of that first race, the 100m, and ran out a comfortable
winner. By the end of the day, he would be carrying a solid 100+ point lead into
day two, having won four of the five day one events.
Well-known on the local
athletics circuit, Brendan has competed for Great Britain and Northern Ireland
at various levels and established himself early on as the man to beat. He
secured victory in the first three events, adding victories over the field in
the long jump and the shot put to that 100m win, and finishing second in the
high jump, a remarkably versatile display.
Decathletes often specialise as
throwers, jumpers or runners. Few can perform so strongly in all three areas.
His coach, family and supporters – who style themselves as ‘Team DECA’ –
explain to me that he would also have won the high jump but for a chronic ankle
injury sustained in previous competition.
His day finished with a
fourth event win – the 400m in a very respectable 52.27s. Yet despite what was
a brilliant performance, he was slightly disappointed and felt he could have
done better. Hopefully a sign of a champion’s high standards and that he is
ready to win what is one of the most prestigious gold medals of any athletics
meeting.
Other local competitors
secured medal success on this first day. Brian Coombes won the Northern Ireland
Fire and Rescue Service’s first medal of the Games, a silver in the 35-39 year
old category in the hammer throw. NIFRS personnel Paula McAllister and
Christine Murray secured medals in the 5000m, along with Lisburn-born
Metropolitan Police officer Mel McClure. And the Police Service of Northern
Ireland secured gold, silver and bronze in various hammer categories.
It was this spirit of
competitiveness and all-round festival of sport that was envisaged by Dame Mary
Peters herself when she first started working towards securing the Games in
2004. Attending today, she was justifiably beaming with pride, and it was a
matter of great personal delight that she gave me five minutes of her time to
record a brief interview. A true Northern Ireland great.
Activity was frenetic
throughout the day. Among the many spectators were some who had travelled huge
distances. I spoke to one lady from Vancouver, Canada who added the Games to
her itinerary while travelling in Europe, in between visits to Scotland for
hill walking and the Edinburgh festival.
Another man from the USA told me
coming here was a “bucket list” item ticked off and the Games a must-see. An
indication, had there been any lingering doubt, that Northern Ireland is a
genuine player in the global tourism market.
Volunteers came into their
own today too. A strong contingent of red-shirted, team-spirited helpers, from
school age to retirement and from across Northern Ireland and beyond, were
integral in ensuring that everything from seating arrangements to medal
ceremonies ran smoothly. Helping co-ordinate the operation was soon-to-be
Masters graduate and volunteer Laura Smyth. She, like many others, sees the
Games as an invaluable opportunity to not only deliver the biggest sporting
event Northern Ireland has ever hosted, but gain real and unique work-based
experience at the same time
It is that
confidence-building opportunity and the availability of a stage for young
people on which they can demonstrate and hone their talents that, for me, will
be a cornerstone of the legacy these Games will leave afterwards.
Tomorrow is our very own
Super Saturday. Eleven men’s and six ladies’ 100m finals at various age ranges
are peppered by the day two events of the aforementioned decathlon. We are just
getting started and I, for one, can’t wait.
