London 2012 boxing medal hopes Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan land Titanic Belfast sponsorship

Ireland’s Olympic Games 2012 medal hopes Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan have landed a Titanic-size sponsorship deal.

The only Belfast-born members of the Irish Olympic team that will compete in the London 2012 Games this summer, launched news of a unique partnership with Titanic Belfast, 100 years after Titanic set off for its maiden voyage from their native city.

The iconic Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, now stands where Titanic, and her sister ship Olympic, were built. And, it was there that Barnes and Conlan jumped on board to become Titanic Belfast’s Olympic Heroes at the London 2012 Games.
North-Belfast’s Barnes, a bronze medal winner in Beijing Games in 2008, is a favourite to win Gold in London. He is a six-in-a-row Irish Elite light-flyweight champion, and the 2010 Gold medal winner at the European Championships, and the Commonwealth Games.

A popular sports star, Barnes has shared award podiums with the likes of golfers Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, football legend David Beckham and Ulster rugby star Tommy Bowe.

He said: “I am honoured to be a Titanic Belfast Olympic Hero and thankful for the support Titanic Belfast has shown to two athletes representing our great city in London this summer. In the year of Titanic’s 100th anniversary, I will give my all to bring back a Gold medal to the home where the great ship was built.“Titanic Belfast has put Belfast on the map and made us all proud of what Belfast can achieve, and I will do my best to add to that sense of pride.”

Barnes’ team-mate Michael, will mark his Olympic debut in London. A member of the John Bosco club in west-Belfast, Michael qualified for the Games last October, and can’t wait to get started.

The Irish Elite flyweight champion said: “It really is a special feeling when people and brands recognise the value in what we are trying to achieve in our sport. It’s not just for personal gain. We compete for our clubs, our communities, our city, and all of Ireland. There’s no sport that brings people together like boxing and Olympic boxing is what the Ireland team is famous for.

“To be a Titanic Belfast Olympic Hero in the 100th anniversary year of Titanic’s maiden voyage is a big deal for me. It would be amazing if in 100 years from now, people are reminded of Paddy and I winning Olympic Gold at the London 2012 Games!”

As part of this unique sponsorship deal, Titanic Belfast’s Olympic Heroes Paddy and Michael will write exclusive blogs from the Olympic Games for Titanic Belfast’s Facebook and Twitter social pages, giving fans an immediate insight to their thoughts and feelings before, during and after their Olympic dream.