Council honours Paralympic star

Council honours Paralympic star

16 November 2016

PARALYMPIAN golden girl Bethany Firth was the guest of honour at a civic reception last weekend to mark her outstanding achievements in Rio.

The event was organised by Newry, Mourne and Down Council to celebrate the Seaforde swimmer’s recent medal success. 

Bethany won three gold medals and a silver in the pool with her impressive performance for Team GB in Rio helping her set a new Games record by clocking 2:03.30 in the 200m freestyle event. 

The Seaforde swimmer’s golden performances came in the 200-metre individual medley, 200-metre freestyle and 100-metre backstroke, with her silver coming in the 100-metre women’s breaststroke. Bethany’s performance also earned the title of the nation’s most successful Paralympian of the Rio games.

Council chairwoman, Gillian Fitzpatrick, described the Seaforde swimmer’s achievement as “truly remarkable” and paid tribute to Bethany, her parents Lindsey and Peter and coach Nelson Lindsey.

Councillor Fitzpatrick explained the local authority’s vision is to create opportunities for local people and communities to thrive.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council aims to provide facilities that encourage healthy lifestyles and we are currently investing in two new replacement leisure centres for our district in Newry and Downpatrick,” she said.

The chairwoman added: “Projects such as these will help in developing other young people who, like Bethany, have a very special talent. What a wonderful role model the young people in the area have in the brilliant Bethany Firth.”