Northern Ireland's Paris heroes give back to local sporting clubs through Olympic Medallist Fund

Belfast Telegraph

06-06-2025

Northern Irish athletes returned seven medals from France two years ago, including four golds, which has unlocked a significant amount of funding to be invested back into local sport.
The Olympic Medallist Fund, which is distributed by Sport NI and made possible through funding from the Department for Communities, was split between the various athletes, with gold medals being awarded £20,000, silver getting £10,000 and bronze worth £5,000.
Each athlete who won a medal was asked to select a club to award their funding to, with the money being used to fund new equipment and expand opportunities for people to participate in sport.
All six of Daniel Wiffen (St Patrick's Grammar School), Rhys McClenaghan (Origin Gymnastics), Hannah Scott (Bann Rowing Club), Jack McMillan (Bangor Swimming Club), Rebecca Shorten (Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club) and Philip Doyle (Belfast Boat Club) were able to select clubs to allocate funding to.
Minister for Sport Gordon Lyons commented: 'As Sports Minister it was a real privilege to cheer on our local athletes at last year's Paris Olympics. The incredible success of Daniel Wiffen, Rhys McClenaghan, Hannah Scott, Jack Milligan, Rebecca Shorten and Philip Doyle put Northern Ireland on the global stage.
'For a small nation, our athletes consistently punch above their weight, thanks to their dedication and sacrifices, and the unwavering support of coaches, school staff, families, and support teams.
'Through the Olympic Medallist Fund, these sporting heroes can give back to their communities and sports, creating pathways for greater participation and inspiring our future medallists. This also aligns with the goal of Active Living – Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for Northern Ireland to have 'More People More Active More Often'.
'It's been inspiring to see the impact of this funding at Rhys McClenaghan's Origin Gymnastics facility, which I'm confident will nurture our next future champion.'
Sport NI;s interim chief executive Richard Archibald added: 'The six clubs and organisations chosen by our medallists were instrumental in their journey to the podium in Paris. With their support, equipment, time and expertise, they grew a love of sport within each of these athletes which turned into an Olympic medal years later.
'Our Paris medallists are an inspiration to young people within their communities and thanks to the Olympic Medallist Fund these organisations can now support other young people to achieve their potential in sport and hopefully follow in these medallists' footsteps.'
Bangor Swimming Club will benefit from new poolside training and competition equipment; St Patricks Grammar School expanded their in-school gym for pupils; Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club can offer an elite junior sculler the chance to compete at international level with a competition sized single scull boat; Bann Rowing Club will add carbon fibre single sculls and oars; and Belfast Boat Club purchased new fitness equipment and support seats to allow people with disabilities to participate in rowing.
Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan chose Origin Gymnastics in his hometown of Newtownards to receive £20,000 which has gone towards new equipment to expand the opportunities for beginners in the sport.
"I feel like this grant gave me the responsibility to leave a legacy after my Olympic win. I couldn't think of a better way to leave a legacy than to donate the money to the fastest growing gymnastics club in the country, Origin Gymnastics,' said McClenaghan.
"This will hopefully allow young gymnasts to follow in my foot steps and give them opportunities and equipment that I didn't have growing up in this sport. Origin offers a sense of community in my home town of Newtownards and gives everybody in the local area a true love for the sport of gymnastics."
Luke Carson, chief executive and founder of Origin Gymnastics, as well as McClenaghan's coach, added: "Rhys has always been a shining example for our local community – his journey is a testament to the power of dedication, resilience, and chasing your dreams.
"I was genuinely honoured when he chose Origin as the recipient of this funding. As a new gymnastics club in the heart of Ards, we're passionate about showing why gymnastics is a sport every child should have the chance to experience.
"This funding has enabled us to invest in new equipment, helping us raise the bar even further in what we can offer to our members."