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Concerns mount over Olympic legacy
The Commons Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport has heard that unless there are some dramatic changes, the legacy for grassroots sport from the 2012 Olympics is likely to be minimal.
At an Olympic hearing on 24 October, the committee heard evidence from the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) with both chief executive, Tim Lamb and chair, Brigid Simmonds warning that there will be no automatic “trickle down” from the Games.
Simmonds, who is also the chief executive of Business in Sport and Leisure (BiSL) and a former board member of Sport England, told MPs: “It will be a long sunrise and a short sunset”.
Creating a culture of participation and tackling growing health issues were two primary objectives of the Games, but there is increasing scepticism over whether they are achievable. There is little evidence to suggest that previous Olympics have left long-term participation.
Lamb said that more needs to be done as a matter of urgency. “Obesity threatens to overwhelm our health services, so it’s a happy coincidence that we have the Olympics to help inspire people into leading more active lives.
“It would be absolute folly to ignore that coincidence and not use 2012 to get more people fit – but that’s the risk that’s being run by not putting plans in place now.”
David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) was also probed by MPs on his efforts to ensure that the budget was not overrun, but was non-committal, emphasising that the regeneration project being undertaken in East London would have to be comprehensive, implying that additional funding may be necessary.
Photograph: Brigid Simmonds has warned that funding for other sports may be affected.