The build up to the 2012 Olympics kicked off in earnest after
the Beijing Olympics. This is an exciting time for anybody involved
in sport from sport National
Governing Bodies, community sports clubs and organisations, and
the wider British public.
Olympic Legacy
There has been a lot of publicity about how the Olympic Games
will leave a lasting legacy. The Department for Culture, Media and
Sport (DCMS) has published:
Before, during and after: making the most of the London 2012
games
This includes five promises:
- To make the UK a world-leading sporting nation
- To transform the heart of East London
- To inspire a generation of young people
- To make the Olympic Park a blueprint for sustainable
living
- To demonstrate the UK is a creative, inclusive and welcoming
place to live in, visit and for business.
NAVCA has produced an article on how the third sector can
contribute to a 2012 legacy (link)
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How will it be delivered?
All English regions have been working towards legacy plans, the
delivery of which will be co-ordinated by the London 2012 Nations
and Regions Group. The regional groups include representatives from
Regional Cultural Consortia, Regional Development Agencies,
Regional Sport Boards, local government and other sports, arts,
cultural, commerce, tourism, health and education bodies.
Although there is no specific reference to Regional Voluntary
Sector Networks, NAVCA recommends that RVSNs contact their regional
group to highlight the important contribution the third sector can
make to increasing the numbers participating or volunteering in
sport in communities.
Find out more about
what's happening in your region.
To encourage people to participate in events in their local
area, and to strengthen and enrich communities, the London
Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)
has launched the Cultural Olympiad.
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The Cultural Olympiad
The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are not just about
sport - They will offer a unique opportunity for British people to
engage with and participate in a major cultural celebration.
From the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Games, the UK
commenced its Cultural Olympiad - a four-year period of cultural
activity designed to celebrate the Olympic spirit throughout the
UK. This will showcase British talent and innovation and reflect
the key themes of the London 2012 Games:
- Celebrating London and the whole of the UK welcoming the
world
- Inspiring and involving young people
- Generating a positive legacy
It will inspire people around the country to participate in a
range of cultural activities, which will reflect and celebrate the
diverse communities of London and the UK.
The Cultural Olympiad was launched on the weekend of 26-28
September 2008 and will involve community-driven projects that
combine culture and sport. Organisations can apply to be part of it
on the Cultural Olympiad pages. You can also
contact your regional programmer
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Who is responsible?
- The
Olympic
Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for constructing the
Olympic park and village, in effect building the theatre.
- The London Organising
Committee for Olympic Games (LOCOG), led by Sebastian Coe
(Chair) and Paul Deighton (Chief Executive), is responsible for
staging a memorable Games in 2012. It will deliver the best
possible Olympic and Paralympic Games experience for everyone
involved, ensuring a tangible legacy and inspiring people to
participate.
For more information on the work of LOCOG and ODA or the 2012
games in general visit the
London 2012 website, an
excellent interactive website, including information on
2012 in your
region.
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