London 2012 programme International Inspiration set to leave long term global legacy
The team behind London 2012’s sports participation programme ‘International Inspiration’, Sebastian Coe (London 2012 Chair), Tessa Jowell (Olympics Minister) and Keith Mills (London 2012 Vice-Chair & Chair of International Inspiration Foundation), have moved to guarantee a long term global legacy for the first global sports participation programme ever delivered by an Organising Committee.
The London 2012 chiefs have met with President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and President of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee Carlos Arthur Nuzman at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games to discuss an extension of the programme through to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.
Following a presentation to encourage further participation from Olympic Family countries and investment from Olympic sponsors in the current programme, Coe, Jowell and Mills confirmed that they have begun discussions for the highly successful initiative to extend beyond the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This follows discussions at Government level lead by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell. Brazil is already part of the International Inspiration programme as one of the first countries to join the initiative, where over 450,000 children and young people have now engaged in sports projects within their schools and communities as a result of International Inspiration.
International Inspiration was developed as a result of the commitment made by the London 2012 bid to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to chose sport’. With support from ambassadors including David Beckham, Sir Chris Hoy, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson, it is intended that the programme will enrich the lives of 12 million children across 20 countries by 2012 through the power of high quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play.
The programme has been running since 2007 and has already enriched the lives of 3.5 million young people in 12 countries, with full programmes in Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Jordan, India, Mozambique, Palau, Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia, and work now beginning in South Africa, Malaysia and Nigeria.
A filmed message of support from International Inspiration ambassador David Beckham shown to IOC members and Olympic sponsors highlighted that “We have an opportunity to change young lives through sport. Inspired by the Olympics, this programme will provide millions of children with the opportunity to participate in a sport and learn how to stay safe, how to play, how to keep healthy and in some cases, how to stay alive. We want every child to have that opportunity.”
Seb Coe, London 2012 Chair, said: “The international Inspiration programme is really the cornerstone of what London 2012 stands for – the vision to inspire young people, and our ambition to be the Games for Everyone.
“We’re here to encourage nations from around the world to take this opportunity to be part of a unique Olympic programme that will leave a truly global legacy. We ask for their support in helping us achieve our target of reaching 12 million children in 20 countries. For Carlos Arthur Nuzman to tell us that Rio 2016 would like to explore extending this initiative beyond 2012 is a major boost for us and the programme.”
Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, said: “International Inspiration is honouring the Singapore promise to change lives through sport. I’m delighted that there is now a real possibility it will become a lasting legacy since I secured agreement from the Rio bid team and Government that they will continue to support it. In addition to the sustained support of Government I hope that sponsors will see the opportunity to realise through International Inspiration the lasting change that the Olympic and Paralympic Games can deliver.”
Mr Nuzman, President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and President of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, said: “Brazil has 65 million youth under 18 years old. Across South America that number rises to 180 million. Extending International Inspiration to boys and girls from the State of Rio is only natural because the programme’s core ideas are aligned with our vision for Rio 2016, which includes transforming the lives of youth through sport, fostering values of friendship, excellence and respect.”
Keith Mills, London 2012 Vice-Chair & Chair of International Inspiration Foundation, said: “International Inspiration is a truly global programme, and provides an important opportunity for Olympic TOP partners to make a difference to the lives of millions of children.
“The Olympic TOP Partners are integral in making Olympic Games what they are today and we urge them to get involved. This programme, where it is and where it is going, will enrich and change lives across the world by linking sport with education and individual and community development.”
Sebastian Coe and Keith Mills have been joined in Vancouver by Inspirational Inspiration participants Di Andra Joseph and Mikyle Chaitsingh from East Mucurapo School in Trinidad & Tobago, who met with British Winter Olympic athlete Ellie Koyander at GE Plaza in Robson Square, Vancouver
International Inspiration is governed by an independent charitable foundation – the II Foundation – and is a unique partnership of public and private organisations. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has joined forces with the programme’s key delivery partners, UK Sport, UNICEF UK and the British Council, to bring International Inspiration to fruition as a core strand of the London 2012 international education programme. Other partners and funders of International Inspiration include the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Department for International Development, the Premier League, the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association and the Youth Sport Trust.
International Inspiration has been supported and welcomed by the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee as an international legacy programme for London 2012. Throughout the development and implementation of International Inspiration the IOC has given significant support and the programme reflects the IOC’s commitment to international sport and youth development through established programmes such as Sport For All, and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games which will be staged in Singapore later this year.
Olympic Park inclusive design hailed as setting new standard for industry
The design of the Olympic Park has been praised for its inclusivity and accessibility, and highlighted as potentially changing the way future developments are designed.
The Olympic Delivery Authority’s ‘Inclusive Design Strategy’ was recognised at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) ‘Award for Equality and Diversity’ at an awards ceremony in London last week.
The judges’ comments stated: ‘The Olympic Delivery Authority has turned traditional design principles on their heads. By taking a holistic view of people’s needs, it is using the power of the Games to change the way that people think about designing places… There is a strong indication that these principles will influence future sports facilities design.’
The ODA published its ‘Inclusive Design Strategy‘ in September 2008, which set out the framework for how the Olympic Park will become the most accessible and inclusive in London. Practical examples include:
- wider pathways with smooth surfaces and seating and resting places at regular intervals;
- setting a new UK benchmark for wheelchair spaces and amenity seating;
- gentle gradients giving all users greater freedom of movement;
- clear and easily understood signage;
- excellent provision of baby changing facilities and buggy stores; and
- a range of accessible toilet facilities.
ODA Head of Design Jerome Frost said: ‘We want to ensure that people of all cultures, faiths and ages and disabled people find the Olympic Park welcoming and easy to use in 2012.
‘Inclusive and accessible design principles have always been at the heart of our plans and we have embedded them into the ODA’s procurement, design and construction processes. An integrated approach across all buildings, open spaces, parklands, infrastructure and public transport means that we will be able to go further than any previous Olympic Park.
‘After the Games, the most accessible sporting venues in London and an inclusive public park and will be left for the local community. Aside from the physical legacy, we hope we can set a precedent for the industry and future developments will meet the same high inclusivity standards.’
Bridge boost for London 2012 rowing and canoe sprint venue
A new bridge has been lifted into place at Eton College Rowing Centre, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced today, keeping plans on track for enhanced Rowing and Canoe Sprint facilities for the London 2012 Games. The new bridge provides increased access to the finish line area of the venue and improved areas for athlete warm-up.
Construction work is well underway to enhance the venue’s existing facilities to provide improved facilities for athlete warm-up and Canoe Sprint events during the London 2012 Games. A key part of the enhancement works has now been completed with work to widen the entrance to the return lane finished and a new 50m bridge lifted into place.
ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: ‘Eton College Rowing Centre is a first-class venue and the enhancements we are delivering will create the best possible facilities for the world’s best athletes to use in 2012. Lifting a new bridge into the finish line area completes a key part of the enhancement works and keeps us on track to deliver improved facilities well before the Games begin in 2012.’
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: ‘Dorney Lake is already a superb facility which will be further enhanced by this work. The widening of the return lane offers improved areas for athletes’ boats during warm up and cool down between races and the new bridge provides increased access to the finish line area which will be the centre of attention during the Games. This is a world class venue and it is exciting to see the enhanced facilities take shape.’
Construction work on the enhanced facilities at the Eton College Rowing Centre began in September last year, starting with the demolition and removal of the venue’s original finish line area bridge and groundworks to widen the entrance to the return lane. With the widened entrance in place, the new 50m-span bridge, weighing 250 tonnes, has now been lifted into place using a 1200-tonne crane.
Further enhancement works are continuing on site, including the construction of a cut-through between the competition lake and the return lane with a new bridge over the cut-through, and the upgrade of the existing gravel/stone access road up to the competition venue for use during the Games. The Eton Dorney enhancement works are expected to be complete in spring 2010.