Pure Magic to bring some Achill magic to Olympic Games

THE sailing events at Olympic Games will have an Achill feel to them with an island-based company organising the entertainment and providing the official MC at the events.

The Olympic sailing events are taking place in Marseille in the south of France from July 28 to August 8 and Achill-based watersports company, Pure Magic will play an integral part in ensuring the thousands of visitors are entertained on dryland.

Pure Magic, which operate a number of events including the annual Battle for the Lake kitesurfing and music festival on Achill Island, were approached by members of the Olympic organising committee last year to bring their ideas and their vision to create a unique experience for the 12,000 fans who are expected to attend the sailing events every day.

Francois Collusi of Pure Magic told The Mayo News that they were honoured to be chosen to help organise the activities to keep the fans entertained while the sailing is taking place out at sea.

“At Pure Magic we have been organising events both large and small in Ireland and abroad and one guy liked what we did so much with Battle for the Lake that he gave us a reference.

“Last year Pure Magic was asked to help design the experience in Marseille for the sailing and how we can create a great experience for everyone. They liked the way we combine knowledge and skill of the sport with entertainment so everyone who attends understands and enjoys themselves.

“We are very proud of it because we are only a small company but we are doing big things. When you go to the Olympics in Marseille some of the things you will see and experience will be from the Pure Magic brain department,” he explained.

Not only were Pure Magic involved in providing their experience to the organising committee, they were also given the honour of being the official MC at the Olympic village the duration of the Games in Marseille.

Clash

However, Francois explained that the Olympics clash with the Mayo International Kite Festival on Keel beach which Pure Magic organise and he has had to pass on being an official Olympic MC for work on Keel beach on Sunday, July 28.

“I had to say no to the Olympics but will be sending my brother Christophe who will travel to France tomorrow to be the official MC for the Games over there.

“We only got the news of being the official MC in May so all the summer plans were made and I could not free myself up. When you organise an event like the Mayo International Kite Festival which will bring kite flyers from all over the world to Keel beach, other events including the Olympic Games have to take second place. If it's rainy or sunny in Keel, I will be there to be with the people we invite.

Mayo International Kite Festival will take place in Achill on Sunday, July 28

“It is a great honour for Pure Magic to be the official MC at the Olympics ... luckily we have the joker card in Christophe and he will represent Pure Magic at the Olympics,” Francois explained.

A native of France, Francois said that they are proud to be involved in the Olympics in his home country and it shows they are doing something right.

“For me an event is an event and no matter what the event we love putting them on. There is something very special obviously with the Olympics but it means we are doing something right. It won't change our lives tomorrow even though it will give us more credibility on our CV.

“If you ask me would I prefer to be at the Olympics I tell you the craic will be much better in Mayo,” he joked.