PARALYMPICS Paralympic Council of Ireland Appoints Chef de Mission for London 2012 Paralympic Team

The Paralympic Council of Ireland today announced the appointment of Mr. Liam Harbison to the position of Chef de Mission for London 2012 Paralympic Team.

Harbison, a native Portmarnock, Co. Dublin but now resident in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Paralympic Council of Ireland since his appointment in 2008 having previously held the position of Paralympic Performance Director since 2003.

Mr Harbison has a distinguished career in Paralympic Sport having managed the Irish Boccia Team to Double Gold Medal success at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

Speaking on the appointment, Paralympic Council of Ireland President Mr Jimmy Gradwell said "I would like to congratulate Liam on his appointment to the position of Chef de Mission. With the demands becoming ever greater as a result of increasing success for Paralympic Sport within Ireland and Internationally, such an early appointment of a person with Liam's experience will ensure stability and consistency in preparation for and lead up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games."

Commenting on his appointment, Harbison said " I am delighted to be given the honour of leading the Irish Paralympic Team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games by the membership of the Paralympic Council of Ireland. The Games will push the achievements of Ireland's top Paralympic athletes to the forefront of Irish sport in Sept 2012. The outstanding success of the team in Beijing 2008 will be extremely difficult to match, but the performance of the youth of the team in particular would indicate that London will be a very successful games from an Irish perspective. I will do my utmost to ensure that every Irish athlete has every support they need to achieve their London 2012 goals."

Harbison's appointment is effective immediately with preparation for London 2012 already underway for over 2 years.

For further information, refer to the Paralympic Council of Ireland website www.pcireland.ie Tel: 01-6251175

John Fulham
Communications Officer
Paralympic Council of Ireland
Tel: 087-2709182
e-mail: Communications@pcireland.ie
www.pcireland.ie