MID ULSTER MLA Billy Armstrong this week hailed the success of Mid-Ulster's Wendy Houvenaghel in gaining a silver medal in cycling at the Olympics in Beijing.
“Although Wendy is now based in Cornwall, she hails from Upperlands in County Londonderry, and was cheered on by her family - the McLeans - and many friends and relatives throughout Mid-Ulster and beyond,” he said.
“It is a wonderful achievement f
or someone for Upperlands to even appear at the Olympic Games, but to qualify for a Final and win a Silver medal is just fantastic.
“I know that Phillip and May McLean and their whole family are very proud of Wendy, and I can assure them that her Olympic exploits have been the source of pride for many others in Mid-Ulster and throughout Northern Ireland.
“I am calling on the Sports Minister to recognise Wendy’s wonderful achievement by hosting a reception for her at Parliament Buildings in Stormont. ”
And Magherafelt councillor Jacky Crawford added his congratulations.
“This is a tremendous personal achievement for Wendy and a unique achievement of which the people of Upperlands and Magherafelt District can be proud,” he said.
“It is 16 years since anyone from Northern Ireland won an Olympic medal and now the Upperlands girl has done it with Silver.”
Councillor Crawford hopes that Magherafelt District Council will mark Wendy’s achievement in some way. He added: “I hope her achievement will be marked by the council. I will certainly be calling for a Civic reception in her honour at the first opportunity.”
The full article contains 260 words and appears in Mid Ulster Mail Magherafelt newspaper.
