Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Hosts Civic Reception For Bethany Firth

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick hosted a Civic Reception on Friday 11 November in honour of local swimming Paralympian, Bethany Firth, winner of three gold and one silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

The gruelling schedule at Rio saw Bethany embrace four different events; 100m backstroke and breaststroke, 200m freestyle and medley. This resulted in eight races; three golds, one silver, one world record, one Olympic defended title, one new games record, one personal best, with Bethany breaking her personal Paralympic record. Her outstanding performances earned Bethany the nation’s most successful Paralympian of the games.

Speaking at the Reception, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick gave details of Bethany’s extraordinary success in the ten days and nights in Rio from 8 to 17 September, saying her achievements were truly remarkable. She paid tribute to Bethany and Team Firth, including Bethany’s parents Lindsey and Peter, and her coach Nelson Lindsey.

In her concluding remarks, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick explained that the Council’s vision was to create opportunities for local people and communities to thrive and said, “The 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. Projects such as this will help in developing other young people who, like Bethany, have a very special talent. What a wonderful role model the young people of Newry, Mourne and Down have in brilliant Bethany Firth”.