London 2012 legacy programme reaches 12 million children

From the IOC, LAUSANNE, 2011 - London 2012's International Inspiration sports legacy programme has achieved its vision of reaching 12 million children and young people around the world. The programme is currently reaching children in 17 countries around the world, particularly in developing countries.

Sport and Play
The programme aims to use the power of physical education, sport and play to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities. The programme works with local communities, teachers, coaches and governments to improve children's lives and give them the chance to take part in sport and play. Through sport, young people learn how to become leaders, be positive role models and inspire their peers.
Inspire Change
Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: "When London won the right to stage the 2012 Games, we did it on the back of several serious commitments. One of them was to use the power of the Games to inspire change – we promised to engage and inspire the youth of the world through sport and to integrate long-term sustainable legacy from the outset. International Inspiration is that vision."
Survival Techniques
International Inspiration is helping change children and young people's lives in many different ways. In Bangladesh, where thousands of children drown each year, International Inspiration is working with the Bangladesh Swimming Federation to teach swimming survival techniques to over 80,000 non-swimmers. Working in seven flood-prone priority districts, International Inspiration has so far trained 784 teenage swimming instructors to teach children how to swim and to raise awareness about the importance of survival swimming.
Partnerships
School partnerships are also an integral part of International Inspiration, providing an opportunity for teachers, children and young people to develop and share innovative approaches to PE, sport and play in the classroom and their local community - as well as learning about and understanding each other's cultures, experiences and international development issues. Over 200 schools in the UK are currently linked to a school overseas through International Inspiration.

(Source:AIPS)