NI Paralympians get gold post boxes

Published Thursday, 13 September 2012

The Royal Mail has had a change of heart and decided it will paint gold post boxes for all of Northern Ireland's Paralympic champions.

Gold medallist Jason Smyth poses on the podium after the Men''s 100m - T13 Final (© Getty)

PICTURE

GALLERY

Michael McKillop (right) and Jason Smyth with their Gold medals at the Olympic Stadium, London.

Michael McKillop of Ireland celebrates winning gold and breaking the world record with a time of 1:57.22 in the Men's 800m - T37

Eglinton sprinter Jason Smyth tweeted last weekend to ask if his hometown deserved the honour, but was initially told it was only for Team GB athletes.

He competed for Team Ireland, as did Seaforde swimmer Bethany Firth and Glengormley runner Michael McKillop.

The Royal Mail has now reversed that decision following "the overwhelming level of support for such a tribute from the local community in Eglinton".

A statement on Thursday confirmed they will paint a post box there, as well as one for Firth and McKillop in their places of choosing.

Barbara Roulston, Head of External Relations for Royal Mail in Northern Ireland said: "Honorary gold post boxes for Jason, Michael and Bethany are an appropriate tribute for our local Paralympic heroes given their tremendous achievements and the very clear community support."

Smyth, who is visually impaired because of Stargardt disease, won two gold medals as he successfully defended the 100m and 200m titles at London 2012.

The 25-year-old has been described as the Usain Bolt of the Paralympics.

McKillop was also a double gold winner as he smashed records to lift the 1500m and 800m crowns - and his marvellous Games was topped off when he was presented with the special Whang, Youn Dai Achievement Award at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

Co Down swimmer Firth, who's 16 years old, claimed Ireland's first gold of the competition at the Aquatics Centre when she won the S14 100m backstroke race.

The Royal Mail said it will paint post boxes at their hometown or "a location of their choice".

Margaret Ritchie MP welcomed the decision.

She said: "Bethany has brought fame and credit to Seaforde village, and I think it is commendable that Royal Mail is joining in the community spirit by painting the post box gold early next week.

"Everyone is extremely proud of Bethany's achievements, and I am delighted that Royal Mail will now go ahead with this visible celebration in her community."

Comments

15 Comments

Alan Field in Belfast wrote (250 days ago):

Lets have a Team N.I. That way all the athletes who live in N.I won't need to worry about Team Ireland or Team G.B and it would meanTeam Ireland would most likely end up with no medals and instead of raising the tricolour or the union jack flags we could raise the Ulster flag in their place . Now that's an idea . :)

Conor in Belfast wrote (251 days ago):

Another point. It's the Royal Mail carrying this out, not Team GB & NI. It's the same with local councils honouring their medalists. Again, I think it would be a great idea for the local council in which the Lithuanian swimmer resides to recognise her achievements. I'd imagime the locals there would not be in uproar like some of the people here begrudging the Team Ireland athletes. One last point, enough with this foreign country stuff, it was team Ireland, not team Republic of Ireland. Would be a great idea to educate yourselves on the difference.

Rob in North down. I've made a similar point in one of the previous news stories. i would think it to be a great idea to paint a post box gold for this Lithunian swimmer if she is a resident living in an area in which the Royal mail carries out it's work. It would be part of the Olympic spirit to honour an athlete in Royal Mail's area, no matter the nationality. Not everything has to do with small minded pettyness on identity, which unfortunately happens in this part of the world.

Ryan in Belfast wrote (251 days ago):

To all those people saying this is a "disgrace", honestly, if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all. You know, by the rules, NO ONE from Northern Ireland should have got a mail box painted gold in their honour because Team GB does not represent Northern Ireland, it represents England, Scotland and Wales only. Everyone knows the complexities of politics in the 6 counties and hardline unionists can deluded themselves all they like but neary half the population in the 6 counties are LEGAL Irish citizens, not british, irish. Everyone in NI has a right represent whichever side they want.

Realist in England wrote (251 days ago):

Dan - why should they go all around the world? At the moment they seem content with carrying out their pathetic antics in their own country and part of Ireland. I imagine most countries would, quite rightly, want nothing to do with the inefficient waste of space and would prosecute them for vandalism should they attempt to paint their post boxes. Your comment is crazy. Likewise, Rob - you are well aware of why this stupid situation has arisen. It is not that an Irish person has moved to England and is claiming this 'honour'. It is an Irish person, in Ireland, who happens to have the right to British citizenship whether or not they want to exercise that right. Again, whether or not the locals want British interference in their affairs, the British state has annexed their part of Ireland. The situation is unique and completely different to the scenario you paint. You also seem to assume that this is some state honour. It is far from that - it is merely a failed organisation trying to make a few people buy a couple of their extortionate stamps as opposed to sending an email or calling someone on the phone.

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