Looking Back - 25 Years of BLE in Cork - Introduction
LOOKING BACK - 25 Years of BLE in Cork
Introduction
I am pleased to be associated with 'LOOKING BACK' - a review of the past 25 years of BLE in Cork County. I congratulate theauthor and editor for the long hours of patient research and interviews which went into this publication. Bald facts and figures are easy to come by but the background stories are less easy to obtain and need patience and perseverance. Thank you Colm for the patience.
I also thank the many people who over the years, especially in the 'sixties, who worked so hard to form BLE and allow our athletes to prove their worth Internationally.
Cork athletes have always been to the fore in International competition and I am very pleased to be Chairman of the County Board at a time when we have some of the best athletes in the World, including triple World Indoor Champion, Marcus O'Sullivan, and Sonia O'Sullivan who is the number one middle distance runner in the World and probably the greatest woman athlete of all time. It is a pity that so many of our good younger athletes must go abroad to further their athletic careers.
Thanks to all the Officers of Cork BLE - past and present, who guided the organization to the high standard it enjoys today.
I have a very special 'graw' for our juveniule body - BLOE. The vast majority of our BLE athletes came up through its ranks. We are very fortunate to have a separate juvenile board in Cork with officers and members who give their time and expertise to the training of our young athletes. Thank you one and all. Sponsorship is part and parcel of most modern codes and athletics is no exception. We have been fortunate in our sponsors over the years and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all, past and present, and I ask you, the reader, to support our sponsors wherever and whenever you can.
Finally thanks to all the 'characters' who provide many light moments during some of the hours of tedium, and thanks to you, the athletes, who make our work worthwhile - may you enjoy your sport for a long time.
Paddy Hickey, Chairman, Cork County Board.
The photograph on the front cover is of Fanahan McSweeney winning a 440 yards race in 1971 in the US; he was so far ahead that interest centred on the jostle for the minor placings, with even Fanahan looking back to see where his McNeese State colleague was placing. The photograph won an American Award.
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