The Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man (CGA) were delighted to welcome the Patron of the CGA, Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer KCB DSO MBE, and Lady Lorimer MBE, to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Over the course of the two-day visit Sir John and Lady Lorimer met with Team Isle of Man’s athletes and officials and managed to visit all three athletes’ villages at the NEC, the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick. They experienced first-hand the fantastic endeavour that Team Isle of Man’s athletes and their support staff have put into their respective events.
Having initially watched the wonderful performances of the Island’s swimmers at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Sir John and Lady Lorimer made the trip out to the Athletes’ Village at the University of Birmingham where they met with the swimmers, the athletics squad, and the busy team of Isle of Man physios.
They also travelled to the NEC village where they met boxer Jade Burden, badminton player Jess Li, and their respective team managers. Then it was on to Warwick Village to meet some of the cycling team. They also met with dignitaries from a number of Commonwealth countries, as well as the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Dame Louise Martin.
Basil Bielich, President, Commonwealth Games Association, said:
‘As one of the smaller nations in the Commonwealth, our athletes have ensured that we continue to punch above our weight in terms of performance. As an Isle of Man registered charity which exists to enable our athletes to continue competing at an elite level at Commonwealth Games, we need to maintain a high profile on-Island and within the broader Commonwealth family.
‘We were therefore delighted, and hugely grateful, to welcome His Excellency and Lady Lorimer to Birmingham. They worked hard to ensure the Isle of Man was promoted at each of the venues they visited and strived to meet and cheer on as many of our athletes as possible during their short stay.’