Beyond 2012: The Legacy Games

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the...

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:31:18 +0100

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the Olympic Park and its amazing venues. And today, in our final tumblr, we look at the star attraction itself – the Olympic Stadium.

It will be the focus of the world’s attention for the next fortnight, but the aim is for the Olympic Stadium to be the premiere home for British athletes for decades ahead.

It’s already hosting the 2017 World Athletics Championships, and there are strong tenancy bids in place – ranging from football to Formula 1 – that leave it well-placed to be one of our most important sporting and entertainment venues beyond 2012.

Remember, Britain’s first ever purpose-built Olympic stadium – White City – remained a major national sporting venue for nearly a century after being built in 1908.

The omens are good that our new Olympic Stadium will make a similar contribution to the nation’s sporting life.

And it all starts from tonight …

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the...

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:39:46 +0100

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the Olympic Park and its amazing venues. Each day this week, find out how the venues will be used after the Games are over. Today, we look at the temporary venues: are they here today, gone tomorrow? Not according to our plans…

Temporary venues

The king of the temporary venues on the Park is the extraordinary 12,000 seat Basketball Arena.

Made of 1,000 tonnes of steel and covered in 20,000 square metres of a recyclable white PVC fabric, the Basketball Arena is one of the biggest temporary venues ever built – standing as tall as the Tate Modern.

Other temporary venues include the Water Polo Arena on the Park, Hadleigh Farm in Essex, for the mountain biking, and the Royal Artillery Barracks where the shooting competition will take place.

Throughout the Olympic building project, the idea was to build permanent venues only when absolutely necessary. Wherever possible the temporary venues will be dismantled and used elsewhere in the UK, enabling other communities to benefit.

There’s even more to the Olympic Park than the new world-class...

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:00:24 +0100

There’s even more to the Olympic Park than the new world-class sporting venues we’ve been highlighting this week. After the Games, the parkland will be open for all to enjoy: a beautiful 250 acre park full of plants and animals.

One of the biggest urban parks created in over a century, the Olympic Park includes more than eight kilometres of waterway, more than 4,000 new trees, 300,000 wetland plants and over 650 bird and bat boxes.

It’s great new for visitors, and even better for local wildlife, which is already making itself at home there. Plus, the parkland will help London cope with changing weather patterns, acting as a giant sponge to soak up rainwater and prevent flooding.

Watch the film to find out more about how the park was created.

Venues across the UK

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:06:00 +0100

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the Olympic Park and its amazing venues. Today though, we’re looking beyond east London at venues outside the capital also leaving a legacy in their wake.

Weymouth and Portland

Located in Dorset on the south coast of England, Weymouth and Portland provides some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK.

Its National Sailing Academy already had great facilities, but the Games will make them truly world class. A new, 250m slipway for launching and landing boats has been built along with 70 new moorings, whilst a new marina will provide 250 berths.

The revamped Academy has already played host to two world championships, and will be available for the country’s top sailing teams and many amateur enthusiasts after the Games finish.

Lee Valley White Water Centre

To the north of London, the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire will stage the Olympic canoeing competitions.

For the thrill-seekers among us, the centre is already open to the public, and will continue to operate as an attraction for everyone to use beyond 2012.

In addition, the venue will continue to be used for elite competition, already winning the right to host the Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2015. So we will see the world’s best riding its rapids for many years yet.

Olympic and Paralympic Village “The Village is the heart and...

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:31:59 +0100

Olympic and Paralympic Village

“The Village is the heart and soul of everything, where you rest your head at night and it’s a vital part of your preparation. You need to come back to a place that you feel comfortable, where you feel there’s a sense of belonging and I think London has certainly managed to get that right for 2012.” Colin Jackson, Olympian & sports commentator

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the Olympic Park and its amazing venues. Today, we look at arguably the most important venue of all – the Athletes Village where the world’s top talent will rest their head.

In fact, 16,000 athletes and team officials will stay at the Olympic Village during the Olympics, with a further 6,200 during the Paralympics. They will get home-from-home comforts mixed with some five-star services to make sure they’re 100% ready for action. Facilities include a 24-hour dining area, a state-of-the-art gym, an extensive entertainment room and a multi-faith centre.

After the Games, the Olympic and Paralympic Village will be a lasting legacy of essential new housing for east London. It will be transformed into 2,818 new homes, including 1,379 affordable homes and houses for sale and rent. They will create a new residential quarter to be known as East Village.

Communities will be supported by new parklands, open space, new transport links and public services, including Chobham Academy – a world-class new education campus – and a new health centre.

Eton Manor With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a...

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:21:11 +0100

Eton Manor

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the Olympic Park and its amazing venues. Each day this week, find out how the venues will be used after the Games are over. Today, we look at Eton Manor, where the wheelchair tennis will be played.

With its striking blue wheelchair tennis courts, Eton Manor houses four indoor and six outdoor courts as well as temporary training pools for Olympic and Paralympic Aquatics events.

After the Games, the venue will become a community sports facility, including a tennis centre and a hockey centre. There will also be space for ten five-a-side football pitches to be added in the future.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the site has been devoted to community sports: for over sixty years it was home to the Eton Manor Boys Club, a sports and social club for the community of Hackney Wick, one of the poorest parts of London.

London 2012 Copper Box With London 2012 nearly here, you’re...

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 10:23:00 +0100

London 2012 Copper Box

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the Olympic Park and its amazing venues. Each day this week, find out how one of the venues will be used after the Games are over. Today, it’s the Copper Box which will host the handball and the fencing stage of the modern pentathlon.

The stunning Copper Box, with its 3,000 sq m of copper cladding, took less than two years to complete. That is pretty fast, but with our time lapse footage you can watch it take shape in less than a minute and a half.

After the games the Copper Box will become a multi-use sports centre for community use, athlete training and events, operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited.

Its flexible design and retractable seating mean it will be suitable for activities ranging from international competition to community sports, and for a wide range of indoor sports, including basketball, handball, badminton, boxing, martial arts, netball, table tennis, wheelchair rugby and volleyball.

A health and fitness club with changing facilities and a cafe for use by the local community are also planned.

London 2012 Velodrome With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going...

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:19:00 +0100

London 2012 Velodrome

With London 2012 nearly here, you’re going to see a lot of the Olympic Park and its amazing venues in the weeks ahead. So each day in the run-up to the Opening Ceremony, we’re finding out how each venue will be used after the Games. Today, it’s the Velodrome.

The super-stylish Velodrome was a whisker away from winning the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture this year.

After the Games, it will combine with a reconfigured BMX Track and new facilities for road cycling and mountain bike. This will form the new Lee Valley VeloPark, which will be available for the public and elite cyclists to use, transforming cycling facilities in the capital.

Find out more about the Velodrome on the London 2012 website.

London 2012 Aquatics Centre With London 2012 nearly here, you’re...

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:55:00 +0100

London 2012 Aquatics Centre

With its striking wave-shaped roof, the Aquatics Centre is poised to one of the most visually impressive venues during the London 2012.

After the Games, it will have the temporary ‘wings’ dismantled and will become a flagship swimming centre for clubs, schools, athletes and the general public.

Fittingly, some of the first people to swim in the centre were 300 young people from the six local ‘host’ boroughs in the annual six Host Borough Swimming Championship in March.

Check out our unique timelapse footage of the venue being built.

Inner city women’s cricket bags award As England take on South...

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:46:16 +0100

Inner city women’s cricket bags award

As England take on South Africa at the Oval this weekend, a few miles East an Olympic legacy project has been honoured after getting dozens of young woman into cricket.

Back to Cricket has brought cricket into the heart of Tower Hamlets, with bespoke cricket sessions for young Bangladeshi Muslim women who requested women-only sessions.

It’s part of Sport England’s Sportivate Olympic and Paralympic legacy initiative, whichgives 14- to 25-year-olds a chance to try different sports.

More than 25 young women have attended each of the weekly sessions, with Middlesex Cricket Board ensuring a Bangladeshi-speaking female coach was on hand to support those for whom English is a second language.

Teenager Shamima who lives in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, said: “I like it because cricket is a fun game and there is a nice group here. The environment is really good and I have made lots of friends. I really enjoy it.”

Gloucester Sports Club back on track A group of volunteers is giving a flood-stricken athletics...

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:54:32 +0100

Gloucester Sports Club back on track

A group of volunteers is giving a flood-stricken athletics club a new future with money inspired by the Games.

Gloucester City Council has secured £100,000 of Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund to bring Blackbridge Athletics Track back into full use for its local community and existing clubs.

Damaged by flooding in 2007, its current facilities have deteriorated to such an extent it has lost its competition license and specific restrictions have been placed on activities due to health and safety concerns.

Work taking place this summer will include widening the track, installing floodlights so people and refurbishing the clubhouse. The club will then be taken over by the newly formed Gloucester Athletics Track Management, a company made up of volunteers who will run the site for the local community.

The Inspired Facilities fund is part of the £135 million Places People Play legacy programme that is bringing the magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities across the country.

South Wales meets South Africa in social legacy project A major...

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:46:59 +0100

South Wales meets South Africa in social legacy project

A major arts project, Mzansi Cymru has been linking the deprived communities of South Wales and South Africa as part of the Cultural Olympiad

Organised by Valleys Kids, a community regeneration charity based in the Rhondda, the project culminates in a large scale performance which celebrates the achievements of disadvantaged youngsters in the Valleys and the township of Langa in Cape Town.

“The athletics series has given me the opportunity to do what I...

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 09:56:33 +0100

“The athletics series has given me the opportunity to do what I love – to run”

With just under a fortnight to go until the Opening Ceremony, it’s a good time to remember just how far the legacy of these Games has reached.

Palau is one of the small islands of Micronesia in the Western Pacific Ocean, and one of the first five countries to be chosen to be involved in International Inspiration, the international legacy programme which has been supporting young people since 2007.

One huge success story from this new initiative is 13-year-old Ruby. Before the athletics series, there was no formal provision for athletes in Palau’s elementary schools so Ruby’s talent remained unnoticed.

Today, Ruby has become a role model at her school and she has represented her country at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. ‘The athletics series has given me the opportunity to do what I love – to run,” she said. “I have gained so much confidence through the competition.”

Boosted health and a creative legacy The entire population of...

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 12:23:00 +0100

Boosted health and a creative legacy

The entire population of the UK has been invited to fill streets and public spaces with a celebratory day of participatory dance today as more and more people get active and creative as part of Big Dance 2012.

At London’s Trafalgar Square you’ll see Wayne McGregor, resident choreographer at the Royal Ballet, bringing together dance groups from across the capital. This performance will feature 2,000 dancers on multiple stages and giant screens.

Throughout the rest of the country, streets, squares and parks will come alive as communities come together for the fun of dance. It’s the flagship event for the Big Dance programme. Visit www.bigdance2012.com to find out how to get involved near you.

"‘It is better to get involved in volunteering rather than drugs on the streets’"

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:00:00 +0100

“‘It is better to get involved in volunteering rather than drugs on the streets’”

- In just a few weeks time, Olympic athletes’ thoughts will turn to Rio 2016, but the international legacy of these Games has already reached young people in the next host country.

International Inspiration is bringing to life the promise made by the London 2012 bid team to reach young people all around the world and connect them to the power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport. It is active in Brazil’s north-eastern region, where 13 million children live. Efforts are focused on providing opportunities to play sport to a population that has few qualified PE teachers and sports facilities in schools.

The programme is supporting ‘Segundo Tempo’, a national after-school scheme which focuses on sporting activities. Through this project, four million young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who would otherwise not have the opportunity to access sport will benefit by 2016. With the support of local authorities, children and young people are now able to enjoy their right to play and experience better PE classes and sport. What’s more, through a project initiated by the GLA and the Youth Sport Trust, the Segundo Tempo model is being piloted in London.

Cibele, 18 said: “It is better to get involved in volunteering rather than drugs on the streets. I encourage people to get involved in International Inspiration. It’s full of good experiences and can help you achieve your own goals.”

Looking forward to a decade of great sport A month today may...

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:05:56 +0100

Looking forward to a decade of great sport

A month today may mark the end of the Olympics, but thanks to the experience and expertise gained in bidding for the Games, the UK now has many more major sporting events to look forward to.

As well as the Paralympics immediately after the Olympics, Britain will host the Champions League Final and Rugby League World Cup in 2013, the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the Rugby Union World Cup in 2015, the World Athletics Championships in 2017 and the Cricket World Cup in 2019.

Under the World Class Events programme led by UK Sport, the UK has already staged 118 sporting events in the five years leading up to the Games, bringing a £105 million boost to the UK economy – and laying the foundations for many more exciting sporting moments on UK soil in the years ahead.

Peter Paine sport centre comes of age in Lincolnshire A...

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 08:54:28 +0100

Peter Paine sport centre comes of age in Lincolnshire

A dilapidated sports centre in Lincolnshire has been revived thanks to an injection of Olympic legacy funding. Boston College secured £100,000 from Inspired Facilities, to provide a new dance studio, gym and changing rooms at the Peter Paine Sports Centre.

The project will help increase sporting opportunities for both the community and students. “The Peter Paine Centre is a valuable asset to Boston town, but has sadly become a rundown building, said Boston College’s Janet Hemmant. “We are able to renew the facilities for the benefit of Boston College Learners and the Community.”

The Inspired Facilities fund is part of the £135 million Places People Play legacy programme that is bringing the magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities across the country.

Feathering the nest for Irish art An ambitious and inclusive...

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:57:43 +0100

Feathering the nest for Irish art

An ambitious and inclusive public art project celebrating Northern Ireland comes to Belfast at the end of next week.

One of 12 Artists Taking The Lead commissions awarded by the Arts Councils of the UK to celebrate the Cultural Olympiad, The Nest includes thousands of donated objects collected from homes across the country.

These will form a great visual installation that will be the stage for a performance by more than 500 singers and performers in collaboration with the Ulster Youth Orchestra. Objects and stories will be filmed and photographed as part of the creation of a unique Nest archive and will form part of the installation and performance.

It is hoped that the project will become a permanent record of Northern Ireland life during an historic year. Discover more at www.2012nest.com

Lighting up the Thames Valley An exciting arts project that has...

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:57:00 +0100

Lighting up the Thames Valley

An exciting arts project that has been creating a lasting impact from London 2012, by funding ideas and local talent across the Thames Valley, will culminate in an explosion of light and movement in Reading tonight.

Two years in the making, Tree of Light will involve over a thousand local dancers and performers who will join together at the Madejski Stadium to welcome the Olympic Torch.

Described as “glorious, thought-provoking and immense” the finale will be held at dusk in the beautiful grounds of Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames on 21st July. Talking about the project, Performance Director Charlie Morrissey says: “There is an incredible energy that is generated by a mass of people who have all been working together on a common goal – whatever their previous experience.

Stewart Collins, Creative Producer, adds, “This is community arts truly come of age. People power!”

For more information about The Tree of Light visit http://www.thetreeoflight.org

Sporting chance for Brazilian kids

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:29:00 +0100

As a country devoted to sport, Brazil is already looking forward to hosting the Games in 2016 – but for millions of young people, the spirit of the Olympics is already being felt through the international legacy programme for London 2012.

International Inspiration is supporting ‘Segundo Tempo’, a national after-school scheme which will help four million young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to access sport by 2016.

With the support of local authorities, many children are already benefiting from better PE classes and sport clubs across Brazil – and through a project initiated by the GLA and the Youth Sport Trust, the Segundo Tempo model is being piloted in London.

Cibele, a Brazilian teenager who took part in the scheme, said: “It is better to get involved in volunteering rather than drugs on the streets. I encourage people to get involved in International Inspiration. It’s full of good experiences and can help you achieve your own goals.”

Find out more by visiting the London 2012 website.