The Princess, a member of the International Olympic Committee, atoured the £20 million world-class sports facility that nurtures high performance able-bodied and disabled athletes and coaches through the provision of facilities and expertise.

 

The Princess was welcomed to the throws area by Dame Mary Peters, the 1972 Olympic pentathlon champion, and went on to meet athletes and their coaches engaged in indoor training for shot putt, hammer throwing, pole vaulting and long jump.

 

She also met medallists and coaches from the 2008 Paralympics, before visiting the 3G Hall to view teams and meet representatives from a number of sports, including basketball, fencing, gaelic games, golf, hockey and volleyball.

 

Among the sports people who spoke to the Princess Royal were blind waterskier Janet Gray and Paralympics gold medal winner Michael McKillop.

 

McKillop said: “In the months leading up to the Beijing Games I was in the gym here training.

 

"This place is a great help to athletes leading up to big events.

 

“There should be more places like this across Northern Ireland.”

 

"Princess Anne looked at my medal and said I must be very proud.”

 

The University's services development manager Trish McFarland, who escorted the Princess on the tour, said: “Princess Anne was very impressed with the facilities and she was extremely knowledgeable about sports science and rehab.

 

"She even knew about the special high-tech 3-G surface in the sports hall.

 

“She was extremely interested in talking to everyone and all her questions were very relevant.”