"He is a true icon of Olympic achievement, and
we know his commitment and enthusiasm will inspire people of all
ages and abilities to get out there and play more sport."
Richard Lewis
Sport England Chair
Sir Steve Redgrave, one of the greatest ever Olympians,
has been appointed as the Government’s 2012 Sports
Champion.
Sir Steve will champion the shared commitment to ensure London
2012 leaves a lasting sporting legacy of a world-leading sport
system.
"The appointment of Sir Steve Redgrave as the 2012 Sports
Champion is one which we warmly welcome,” said Richard Lewis, Sport
England’s Chair. “He is a true icon of Olympic achievement, and we
know his commitment and enthusiasm will inspire people of all ages
and abilities to get out there and play more sport.
"The legacy of a world-leading community sport system, and a
million people playing more sport, will be what makes our Games
great."
“Sir Steve Redgrave is not only one of Britain’s greatest ever
Olympians, but one of the greatest Olympians of all time,” said the
Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.“ He is a man who has touched the
lives of generations around the world with his remarkable
dedication and his track record of sporting excellence.
“He is exactly the right man to harness the power and reach of
the Games and help inspire the nation to become more actively
involved in sport and help deliver a fantastic legacy from the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games once the flame has left
London.”
Sir Steve’s new role will help raise the profile of our work,
with national governing bodies and other partners, to get more
people playing and enjoying sport and to help talented athletes
fulfill their potential. With our partners, we are working to
deliver a number of challenging outcomes for grassroots sport,
including:
- One million people doing more sport
- A 25% reduction in the number of 16- to 18-year-olds who drop
out of at least five key sports
- Improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
- A measurable increase in people’s satisfaction with their
experience of sport
- A major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports
offer for children and young people.
“2012 is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the habits of a
nation and get across to everyone why sport and physical activity
matters,” said Sir Steve.
“This is a great responsibility but a great opportunity as well.
I want to work with those who have the task of making sure the
benefits happen from hosting the Olympics and Paralympics but I
won’t be afraid to ruffle feathers if I need to. A lot of good work
has already been done – but there is no time to lose.”
Sir Steve will be supported in his work by six Olympic and
Paralympic medalists, whose existing roles as School Sport
Ambassadors, working under the auspices of the Youth Sport Trust,
will be expanded beyond the school gates to meet and inspire young
people to take up sport throughout their daily lives.
They are:
- Darren Campbell and Jason Gardener, sprint relay gold medalists
at Athens in 2004
- Gail Emms, badminton mixed doubles silver medallist in
Athens
- Joe Glanfield, silver medalist in the 470 sailing class at
Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008
- Sascha Kindred, who won 11 swimming medals (six gold) at four
Paralympic Games from 1996 to 2008
- Denise Lewis, heptathlon gold medalist at Sydney in 2000.
You can find out more about how the Government plans to make the
most of London 2012, by reading the
Olympic Legacy Action Plan