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With the idea of inspiration central to the 2012 legacy, hearing a British athlete talk about the positive role sport can play in changing young people's lives is nothing new.
But when the message is delivered by Beijing silver medalist Germaine Mason, whose 16-year-old brother is in prison for his part in a horrific gang murder, it certainly carries greater significance.
Andre Mason, once a promising sprinter, was told by an Old Bailey judge last April that he will serve a minimum of 13 years following the stabbing of a 22-year-old student in Southall two years ago.
During the trial, it was claimed that Andre, who lived in Acton, became involved with west London's notorious MDP gang, several members of which were also jailed for their roles in the murder.
It is a culture which Germaine Mason abhors and he is now using his profile as one of the world's leading high jumpers to warn other youngsters not to get dragged into it.
The 26-year-old said: "Gangs are for cowards, people who are trying to seek protection. You should be your own person, choose your own path.
"You don't need to be in a gang to be cool. In fact, when you get to my age, you will look back and think I wish I was never in a gang because I missed out on so much.
"There are so many better things to do in your teenage years - go to school, get a proper education, play sport, play an instrument.
"It's about putting the right programmes in place but there is also a need for role models. That's where sport comes in. Kids want to be superstars, my brother wanted to be a superstar but things didn't turn out that way.
"I have friends who were in gangs and I tried my best to get them out. I've managed to help a few and they have been able to turn their lives around. There is simply nothing good to say about gangs."
Mason grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, but he qualifies for Great Britain through dual nationality - his father David was born in London. After showing great promise competing for the Caribbean island in the early part of his career, Mason's progress was hampered by a ruptured patella tendon which forced him to miss the 2004 Athens Olympics.
During and after his recovery, he went two years without competing for Jamaica, thereby meeting the IAAF requirements to switch nations and he has represented Great Britain since 2006.
That decision was vindicated in the Bird's Nest Stadium last August, when Mason cleared 2.34m to claim a surprise silver behind Andrey Silnov, of Russia, and he is now chasing more glory at next month's World Championships in Berlin.
Mason narrowly won the UK title at his adopted home track of Birmingham two weeks ago and he plans to use this weekend's London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace to further aid his preparations.
The 6ft 4ins jumper said: "I love competing in London and always jumped well there in the past. I used to be based in Acton but found the travel to training at Lea Valley too much.
"In Birmingham, I live right by the track. Having made the podium in Beijing, I would be disappointed not to get a medal at the worlds."
Should he need any tips on delivering on the big stage, he could always ask one of his famous Jamaican friends for advice.
Sprinters Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell are good pals, while Mason grew up in the same neighbourhood and remains very close to Bolton footballer Ricardo Gardner.
"Ricardo texts to encourage me and he says how good it would be if I managed to make the Great Britain team for the London Olympics," added Mason.
"He is a good friend and I tend to follow whichever football team he is playing for at the time - although I also support Arsenal because of Dennis Bergkamp."
