The Mary Peters Trust will replace the Ulster Sports Trust, founded in 1975 to celebrate her victory in Munich.

 

The Princess Royal, a member of the International Olympic Committee, met Dame Mary and other Northern Ireland Olympians at a reception  held in the Belfast Harbour Commissioner's Office at Hillsborough Castle.

 

Among those present were Jim Kirkwood, a member of the British hockey team that won the Olympic medal in Seoul in 1988, and former Sports Minister Kate Hoey, herself once a good-class athlete and now a special advisor about London 2012 to London Mayor Boris Johnson.

 

The aim of the Trust is to help raise the profile of sporting organisations and create a platform for fundraising efforts to provide often much needed financial help to able-bodied and disabled individuals from any recognised sport.

Dame Mary accompanied the Princess Royal, a member of the London 2012 Board, during the event which began with young people holding Olympic torches lining their route through the building.

 

She also presented her with a bouquet of flowers.