Calls For London 2012 To Improve Legacy

In the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics, a host of sport governing bodies have called for more action to increase participation and entice people to take up sport.

There have been concerns about the risk of the Olympics having a ‘Wimbledon’ effect – people trying sports they watched during the Games for a short time and then quitting. Leaders of various sport federations have expressed the need for something more sustainable.

In an effort to address to these issues, a debate will take place at House of Commons on the London Olympics to explore plans being made to involve more people in British sport.

Suggestions have ranged from calls for ‘extra capacity’ to cope with increased demand in certain sports to ensuring facilities that will be built for the Games do not go unused after the Olympics are over.

The government stated that efforts to create a sporting legacy from the Games include the £140m free swimming scheme for over-60s and under-16s and new money to ensure youth has the opportunity to do five hours sport a week, both in and out of school.

This proposal, however, has received some negative response. Tim Lamb, chief executive of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, pointed out that the government’s plans only include swimming. ‘So if you don’t like swimming,’ he said, ‘you’re sunk.’