Debate contribution: Paris Olympics and Paralympics
Debate contribution by Mr Gary Middleton on .
- MLA
- Mr Gary Middleton
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 9 September 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Matter of the Day
- Heading
- Paris Olympics and Paralympics
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4511065
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I join Members across the Chamber and everyone across Northern Ireland in congratulating our Olympians and Paralympians. There is not a place in Northern Ireland has not been touched by the fantastic achievements of our athletes, by the dedication that they have put into their training and by all those involved behind the scenes. Today, however, I make particular mention of the remarkably talented tandem twins from Claudy, para athletes Judith and Chloe MacCombe. I hope that all Members will join me in congratulating those dedicated and talented Northern Irish athletes. Judith and Chloe come from Claudy. They are fantastic young women who are visually impaired athletes and compete at the top of their game across many competitions, not least, most recently, the Paris Paralympics. The young women were born with a form of albinism, which meant that Chloe and Judith have grown up with visual impairment, but they have proved to be a real inspiration for us all in the north-west and, indeed, across Northern Ireland. Chloe and Judith were originally pararowers. Later, on being approached by Triathlon Ireland, they became paratriathletes. It seems like nothing can stop Chloe and Judith, and long may that continue. We are so proud of their performances at the Paralympics, with Chloe placing sixth and Judith placing eighth: an incredible achievement for those two local girls. Chloe and Judith are a perfect example of what our young people can achieve and are achieving. Their hard work and training and their kind and humble natures are things that we can look upon with pride in their achievement. Notably, they always ensure that they witness their Christian faith, putting God first in everything that they do and always giving God the glory.
287 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.04 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.03 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.02 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits | 0.99 |
| Religion and belief (including people of no religion), churches, faith communities and religious prejudice (including antisemitism and anti-Muslim prejudice) | 0.01 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:57 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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