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.