UUP Stormont motion to support gymnasts Rhys McClenaghan, Eamon Montgomery and Ewan McAteer’s bid to compete at Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland

The former Ulster Unionist Party leader, who is a former Irish international athlete, condemned the decision to deny the defending Pommel Horse champion the opportunity to defend his gold medal.

Mr Nesbitt, who was chair of the All-Party Group on Sport in the last assembly mandate, urged his fellow MLAs to pledge their support to McClenaghan and his fellow gymnasts, Eamon Montgomery and Ewan McAteer, who have been banned from competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

“There is custom and practice going back decades that allows sports people from Northern Ireland to represent Northern Ireland, Ireland or Great Britain. Rhys himself has worn both Irish and Northern Irish vests, as have many distinguished sports people, Barry McGuigan being just one world class example that reflects how intertwined Britishness and Irishness have become down the centuries.

“The FIG decision flies in the face of the 1998 Belfast Good Friday Agreement, which enshrines each individual’s right to self-define as British, Irish or both. The FIG need reminded that this is a binding international agreement and they are attempting to drive a coach and horses through it.

“The Ulster Unionist Party is calling for the Federation to reverse its decision immediately and believe if the assembly was up and running as it should be, we would secure unanimous support for our motion.”

The motion says it “deplores the decision of the FIG to ban three athletes from Northern Ireland from competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games”.