Lady Mary Peters hails launch of new Team NI initiative to bring together Commonwealth Games representatives

Lady Peters – a gold medalist at the 1972 Olympics – won three gold medals and a silver at the Commonwealth Games.

“I think it's a wonderful idea because we've always integrated the sports over the years,” stated Lady Peters.

“It's going to be a wee bit different in Glasgow in that we'll be in different hotels, but I think it's very important to retain the pride in representing your country and we've had so much success over the years that we should be honouring our alumni and making sure that they're not forgotten.

“My first medal was a silver medal in the shot put at the Jamaica Commonwealth Games. I was favourite to win, but my competition was delayed by an hour and I lost the adrenaline and was beaten by a New Zealand girl (Valerie Sloper-Young) who came out of retirement, but that first medal meant such a lot to me and it made me want more.

“After that it was the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, and I won the shot put and the pentathlon and it was the first time that event had been in the programme, so, very happy memories of all those times.

“After Munich I was able to go to the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand where I won another gold medal, but that was the end of my career.”

The objective of the Causeway Club is to connect individuals who have represented Northern Ireland at Commonwealth Games or Commonwealth Youth Games. This will include athletes, coaches, support personnel, medical staff, and team management.

Lady Peters added: “It’s wonderful because you can be walking down the street in any city in the world where the Commonwealth Games are being held and you meet somebody that you competed against maybe 20 years ago, and it's joyous.”

Lady Peters had her own reunion with Hedi Rosendahl 50 years after beating the German athlete to the Pentathlon gold in Munich.

“Hedi came over with her husband for a week to celebrate our 50th anniversary, and one of the journalists asked Heidi had she forgiven me for beating her and she said no, but I only won by one tenth of a second out of five events over two days – smallest possible margin,” said Lady Peters.

“It changed my life forever because it gave me so many opportunities, but I'm still pleased that I had the opportunities of competing at Commonwealth level because they are the friendly games.”

Lady Peters will be in Glasgow during the summer and has high hopes Team NI will return with plenty of medals.

“I’m always delighted to be there and to support the team. It is about reunions and the memories that the games bring up at every opportunity.”