2012 London Olympics

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Gerry Sutcliffe
Gerry Sutcliffe: Supporting our campaign

Sports minister backs Games legacy campaign

Jack Lefley
22.09.08

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has thrown his weight behind the Evening Standard's campaign for a proper sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympics.

The minister said the Games must be used to get more young people involved in sport and to create the lasting infrastructure for them.

Speaking at a fringe meeting about preparations for 2012 at the Labour conference in Manchester, Mr Sutcliffe said: "It's a great campaign. It is a positive attempt to capture people'simagination and unleash the potential that's out there through the Olympics and its legacy.

"For me the legacy is about improving sports facilities, increasing sporting activity and improving people's lives through the Olympics. If we don't harness this opportunity to achieve that we never will."

The Standard's charter to deliver an Olympic legacy demands:

• Sporting inspiration and facilities "that last for the generation to come".

• Access to top-class sporting facilities for all.

• Ringfenced money to secure Olympic legacy and ensure millions more participate in sport.

• No more sell-offs of school or council sports facilities

• Establishment of a system of "Olympic Champions" with top athletes going into schools to inspire children.

Olympic gold medallist sprinter Darren Campbell, who was also at the meeting, called for more funding to allow former athletes rather than amateur enthusiasts to coach promising teenagers.

Sue Campbell, chairwoman of UK Sport - which invests in British Olympic success - said there was a strong structure in place through the Elite Coach Programme, and former stars such as cyclist Chris Boardman were passing on their expertise. But she added: "Darren is right that they have a unique perspective - the trick is to ensure that they learn how to adopt and communicate it to the next generation."

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Now that we are facing a recession it is absolutely ridiculous that millions of pounds are to be spent on building Shooting ranges at Woolwich Barracks for the Olympics, only to be dismantled afterwards. Why not use the Bisley site in Surrey,the capital of UK shooting competitions, and leave a legacy for sportsmen and women to benefit from.

- Peter Richards, Southampton,England.

So legacy is now in vogue. Witness the dreadful waste of money - some £28M - in building shooting ranges in Woolwich Barracks only to dismantle them post-Games. This definitely contradicts the Olympic Charter regarding "leaving a sporting legacy". Historic Bisley, Surrey, can host all of the shooting competitions; it is the UK's premier centre, not far from the M25 and so the natural place. It once had a station and direct railway link with London! Why not there?

- R Newnham, Romsey, Hampshire

Sue's comment sadly illustrates the one dimensional view being taken by sports leaders in this country.
Sporting legacy should not be just about the elite!!!
More and better facilities will give the elite performers more opportunity to train properly, but the legacy should be about providing a sporting infrastructure for everyone, young or old, good or bad and rich or poor.
At the moment the legacy is aimed squarely at the young, elite athlete who can afford to access the sport of their choice and travel to the limited number of facilities.
Sport England ignore the '20 minute travel' rule when it suits them to. UK sport only look at elite development and they report to the government who take their advice. (and if the advice is contrary to what the government want they get someone else to give the advice (ask Derek Mapp)
The benefit London shoud get is the arrest of the decine in sports provision that has been going on since the 60's. Everyone should have access to the sport of their choice within their local area wherever physically possible, and Local Authorities should have a stautory duty to provide sporting facilities such as playing fields and swimming pools to the recommended population density levels.

- John Whitby, Peterborough, Cambs


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