It's been an exciting 10 days for our wee city, welcoming thousands of police officers and firefighters from around the globe to compete in some of the most light-hearted sporting and gaming events known to man. There's something uplifting about cheering for community heroes basking in their own strengths and talents. The team spirit and international ethos of the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) have uplifted the city, and the country, from the opening ceremonies and throughout the week. The free events offered an opportunity for local enthusiasts to participate in exciting competitions from tug-of-war to wrist-wrestling to ladder climbing. Following the buzz of the 2012 Olympics, it kept the flame of sportsmanship and excitement alive in this part of the world.
But in Northern Ireland nothing is so simple. The centenary of the launch of the Titanic was also the centenary of the Ulster Covenant, marking the pride of shipbuilding alongside the history of deeply entrenched political division. The Christmas Market in the front of City Hall and riots at the back during the flag riots of December 2012 also highlighted this dichotomy inspiring newpaper titles like 'A Tale of Two Cities' and harkening back to the research of Murtagh's 'Twin Speed City,' immortalizing this strange reality of our town in press and publication.
Tonight as well we feel the pulls of the past preventing us from fully embracing the potentials the WPFG bring.
Underneath the graffiti of Black Mountain reading 'PSNI - M15: Political Policing' fought Northern Irish citizens in the heart of our city over issues of internment and divergent pasts. This is not the only fighting in our city.
On the playing fields, leisure centres and make-shift arenas of our city there are other fights taking place. On the surface these are competitions of world athletes and heroes fighting for the victory of their countries and squads - but deeper than that they are fighting, in a way, for our city to move closer to peace.
While we should not overlook and ignore the violence and voices of division that have persisted - we also should find ways to empower these other fights taking place in our city - the fights for a Northern Ireland we can all feel proud of.
