British Olympic legends Coe, Holmes, and Redgrave unite to support International Inspiration'

Three of Britain’s most celebrated Olympians – Sebastian Coe, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Sir Steve Redgrave - visited a school in New Delhi today, participating in the London 2012 International Inspiration programme which has now taken sport to over 6 million young people in challenging situations worldwide.

The International Inspiration programme is based on the vision of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee to use the inspirational power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to connect more young people with sport around the world.

Coe, Holmes, president of Commonwealth Games England, and Redgrave witnessed the benefits of International Inspiration activities involving children with a range of physical and intellectual capabilities while visiting the Springdales School in New Delhi Thursday morning.

The multiple gold medallists, who each played key roles in the successful bid to host the London 2012 Games - Coe was chairman of the Bid committee, while Holmes and Redgrave were leading ambassadors - were on a business and diplomatic mission to India led by the British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Business Secretary and Culture Secretary. The visit is promoting strong bilateral relations and areas of shared interest between the two countries, including sport and culture. The chairman of the II Foundation, Sir Keith Mills, was Chief Executive of the London 2012 Bid committee, and is deputy chairman of the London organising committee.

"International Inspiration - the programme we committed to in Singapore, in 2005, when we presented to the IOC and were awarded the right to host the 2012 Games, is an inspiring reality, and is leaving a truly global legacy from the 2012 Games," said Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee.

Millions of children and young people have benefited from International Inspiration which involves programmes of planned and structured education and sport-related activities relevant to the needs and abilities of children and young people in schools, villages and other community settings. International Inspiration is also assisting with peace and reconciliation efforts by hosting sport events and competitions in camps for displaced young people removed from conflict zones, and is also reaching out to street children, helping them change their lives through sport and play.

"The practice of sport in the community can break down barriers to social isolation and participation, and provide greater social cohesion which can give young people hope and better alternatives. It is the hidden social worker in all our communities," Coe said.

With two years to go to the start of the London 2012 Games, International Inspiration is on target to reach 12 million young people in 20 countries by 2012.

Speaking in New Delhi, Coe paid tribute to the Prime Minister and Government of India, the Indian Olympic Committee and sporting bodies, as well as local authorities, teachers and volunteers for supporting the London 2012 International Inspiration programme.

"The support of governments and community organisations was vital to maximising the positive impact of sport and sport-related education programmes like International Inspiration in the lives of young people," Coe said.

India was one of the first countries to participate in the International Inspiration programme when it was launched two years ago. Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Jordan, Mozambique, Palau, Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia have also participated in the programme, and work is now beginning in South Africa, Malaysia, Turkey and most recently in Nigeria, which joined International Inspiration earlier this week. Programme ambassadors include David Beckham, Sir Chris Hoy, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson.

Feedback from children, parents, trained teachers, coaches and volunteers and others involved in the International Inspiration programme in India showed that young people are responding in positive ways to International Inspiration activities, including reduced levels of absenteeism and increased school attendance, while other young people involved in the programme have been appointed to leadership roles in their communities.

The principles and strategies behind the International Inspiration programme and activities have also been adopted and integrated into official Government of India sport and education planning and programme policies. Similar results and outcomes have also been reported in other countries where International Inspiration programmes have been established.

Coe said that the positive influence of the programme in India highlighted the importance of sport development programmes for young people. "There are many examples from the programmes of how sport, and physical activity, and getting together to practise it, is so often the way many young people, including disengaged and disadvantaged young people can build bridges with the communities they live in and beyond. It can be anything from linking with others to have a common purpose and build friendships, or boosting self-esteem from achieving modest and quiet personal bests, or the opportunity to train and be coached and to achieve sporting success."

International Inspiration is the first sport for development legacy project delivered by an Olympic host city, and complements the community work done by the IOC over many years through its visionary Solidarity and Sport for All programmes.

Sir Keith Mills said International Inspiration is more than sport and more than producing Olympic champions. "International Inspiration is aimed at grass roots and better lives – as a way of helping children, some of whom may achieve sporting success, but who may equally may become a local teacher or health care worker, each doing their personal best and in doing so, inspiring others to also achieve their best and helping to create stronger and more sustainable communities."

Coe praised the efforts of key International Inspiration delivery partners UNICEF, the British Council, UK Sport, the International Inspiration ambassadors and the II Foundation led by Sir Keith Mills, highlighting the collaborative working relationships with local authorities and government and non-government bodies in participating countries. "International Inspiration has worked due to the tireless commitment of the many people involved who believe in the power of sport to make a difference in young people’s lives."

For more information contact: www.london2012.com

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