Dame Mary takes to the skies

Published Sunday, 02 September 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Olympians past and present were at Belfast City Airport on Sunday to honour Dame Mary Peters almost exactly four decades since Northern Ireland's golden girl had her pentathlon success in Munich.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

Also on the runway to greet her was a Flybe Q400 aircraft newly named 'The Mary Peters.'

The aircraft tribute features a life-size image of the athlete, pictured standing on the podium after the medal ceremony. The picture was taken by her father on 3 September 1972.

The Liverpool-born medallist moved to Portadown in Co Armagh after her father started working in Northern Ireland.

Her athletic potential was spotted early and Dame Mary went on to compete in three Olympic Games and five Commonwealth Games - her first when she was just 18 years old.

The original 'Golden Girl' described the event as overwhelming.

"I knew my friends where coming and I was going to meet them here - but I had no idea that Flybe were going to fly me on that plane as well so it's an amazing experience and I hope I get to fly in her!"

Another dame was in attendance on Sunday - middle distance runner Kelly Holmes.

She told UTV: "I just think that it's an absolutely amazing day for Dame Mary - but I was absolutely honoured to be invited to come over here to celebrate somebody's achievements over the past 40 years and to someone that's as lovely as Mary.

"I had to be here," she added.

Daley Thompson, Duncan Goodhew and Northern Ireland's London 2012 Games bronze medallist Alan Campbell also watched the grand unveiling.

The sporting stars were also interviewed about their memories of Dame Mary Peters' career over the past 40 years on the stage of the Grand Opera House in Belfast on Sunday night.

Van Morrison and Brian Kennedy were among the musicians taking part in the special gala evening of entertainment.

© UTV News
Comments Comments
1 Comments
Michael "O' in Co.Down wrote (257 days ago):
Many Many Congratulations Mary. A true Olympian in ever sense of the word. Proud to be a Gold Medal Team GB and Northern Ireland winner, a great ambassador for the sport and one of the most sincere and genuine woman I have had the honour to meet. You deserve every accolade the Great British Sporting greats bestow on you achievements, whilst you proudly wore the Team GB and NI colours. You are rightly held in the highest of esteem by the Best of British Sportsmen and women whose presence at yesterdays ceremony is a deserved testament to "Our Mary Peters" Come on Northern Ireland where are the rest of Marys Congratulatory Posts??
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
UVF centenary parade
Sat 20 April 2013
BGT auditions - Week 2
Sat 20 April 2013