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Olympic legacy: running on empty Olympic legacy: running on empty
(2 months later)
This time a year ago, the national mood of mild scepticism about the Olympics was transformed almost overnight. In the weeks that followed, a surge of enthusiasm made it seem almost possible that Britons would rise as one from the couch and clog the roads running and cycling. The ambition of the winning bid in 2005, that the Olympics would "enhance sport in the UK forever", would be triumphantly fulfilled.This time a year ago, the national mood of mild scepticism about the Olympics was transformed almost overnight. In the weeks that followed, a surge of enthusiasm made it seem almost possible that Britons would rise as one from the couch and clog the roads running and cycling. The ambition of the winning bid in 2005, that the Olympics would "enhance sport in the UK forever", would be triumphantly fulfilled.
It was never going to be that easy. European figures for participation put Britain mid-table, below all the other north European countries except Denmark. And although Sport England reported a 1.4 million jump in participation in the seven years between winning the bid and hosting the games in 2012, other research suggested that a similar increase was happening across the EU.It was never going to be that easy. European figures for participation put Britain mid-table, below all the other north European countries except Denmark. And although Sport England reported a 1.4 million jump in participation in the seven years between winning the bid and hosting the games in 2012, other research suggested that a similar increase was happening across the EU.
Now Sport England is reporting numbers falling by 200,000. It blames the cold spring. But it seems more like a warning that, despite the continuing inspirational successes of our elite athletes, the participation element of the Olympic legacy isn't going quite according to plan.Now Sport England is reporting numbers falling by 200,000. It blames the cold spring. But it seems more like a warning that, despite the continuing inspirational successes of our elite athletes, the participation element of the Olympic legacy isn't going quite according to plan.
Add to that the decision by Lord Seb Coe, whose talismanic presence seemed a guarantee of governmental seriousness, to quit his role as legacy ambassador in the Cabinet Office, together with a warning from Sir Keith Mills, deputy chairman of London 2012, of a "barmy" lack of joined-up thinking, and muttering from Jonathan Edwards, the triple-jump gold medallist, about the impact of cuts in local council spending on sports facilities – and it seems the brave promises of the bid, of five hours of high-quality sport a week for 15 to 16-year-olds and three hours a week for 16 to 19-year-olds were merely good intentions.Add to that the decision by Lord Seb Coe, whose talismanic presence seemed a guarantee of governmental seriousness, to quit his role as legacy ambassador in the Cabinet Office, together with a warning from Sir Keith Mills, deputy chairman of London 2012, of a "barmy" lack of joined-up thinking, and muttering from Jonathan Edwards, the triple-jump gold medallist, about the impact of cuts in local council spending on sports facilities – and it seems the brave promises of the bid, of five hours of high-quality sport a week for 15 to 16-year-olds and three hours a week for 16 to 19-year-olds were merely good intentions.
Coe was right to point out that building participation is a long-term project. Joined-up thinking, linking health and education with sport at national and local level, is so much easier to write than to do (the new public health obligation on local authorities may just help here). Schools and sports clubs are vital. But countries with higher levels of participation also pump in locally administered public funding. Britain, uniquely, has low levels of public funding, high charges and low levels of membership.Coe was right to point out that building participation is a long-term project. Joined-up thinking, linking health and education with sport at national and local level, is so much easier to write than to do (the new public health obligation on local authorities may just help here). Schools and sports clubs are vital. But countries with higher levels of participation also pump in locally administered public funding. Britain, uniquely, has low levels of public funding, high charges and low levels of membership.
That may be why last week's report from MPs on the education committee found some sports clubs were trying to support sport in four or five different schools. But the most striking problem they identified is the shortage of facilities: compulsory swimming is no use if there is no access to a pool. Some inner-city boroughs are down to their last one.That may be why last week's report from MPs on the education committee found some sports clubs were trying to support sport in four or five different schools. But the most striking problem they identified is the shortage of facilities: compulsory swimming is no use if there is no access to a pool. Some inner-city boroughs are down to their last one.
No wonder half of all under 11s wouldn't be able to swim a length in the 2012 aquatics centre. Running tracks close, no one checks that primary schools use their special sports budget on sports – and the legacy struggles.No wonder half of all under 11s wouldn't be able to swim a length in the 2012 aquatics centre. Running tracks close, no one checks that primary schools use their special sports budget on sports – and the legacy struggles.
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