08 May 2001 IRISH SURFERS VOTE "YES"
The Irish Surfing Association announced this evening, Friday, 27th April, 2001 that they will be continuing their bid to attract the World Surfing Games to Ireland in 2004. This follows an historic vote open to all of the surfers of Ireland who voted 54.7% in favour of the Games coming to Ireland and 45.3% against. The World Surfing Games is a biennial event held by the International Surfing Association since 1966 and is regarded as the "Olympics of Surfing". The Irish Surfing Association will now seek to crystallise financial support for the event from the Irish Government under their new Sports Tourism Programme, which was one of the criteria set by the International Surfing Association when nominating Ireland last year in Brazil.
The final decision on the nomination to Ireland will take place at a meeting of the International Surfing Association in Durban, South Africa, to be held in late June. Commenting on the result Irish Surfing Association President Brian Britton said "I am pleased that the majority of the surfers of Ireland have voted in favour of Ireland's bid to host the 2004 World Surfing Games. The debate which Irish surfers have engaged in over the past number of weeks has been very healthy for the sport and I believe there is now a better understanding on both sides of the issues involved. While emotions have been high, both sides have indicated that they would accept the result whichever way it went".
Brian Britton went on "The Executive of the Irish Surfing Association have got to recognise the strong "No" vote, which was higher than anticipated. We intend to sit down with those opposed to the Games and have full consultation on the issues raised. T
he Irish Surfing Association will do everything possible to allay fears expressed and if necessary will recommend modifications to the format and presentation of the 2004 World Surfing Games in consultation with the International Surfing Association".
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