Olympics 2012
Coventry and the 2012 Olympics
The benefits that could come Coventry’s way from London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games was one of the first initiatives to be taken up by the Ambassadors Group back in 2004, before the bid to stage the 2012 Games was even won.
Since then we’ve come a long way and as the Games draw ever closer our city’s involvement becomes more intrinsic. The Coventry & Warwickshire 2012 Partnership has developed 6 ideas around the Games which will bring the citizens of Coventry directly involved in the world’s largest global event which is taking part on our own doorstep.
The Six Projects Are:
1. Olympic Legends – Through celebrating local, national and international Olympians and Paralympians the project intends to inspire the next generation of young sportsmen and women from Coventry and Warwickshire.
The scheme has unearthed over 100 athletes from the sub-region that have competed in the Games. As a consequence we have been able to create our very own Olympic and Paralympic hall of Fame. The legends will be used to act as mentors for young people and espouse the values of sport and the Olympic spirit across the sub-region.
2. Carnivals and Festivals – Celebrating the Olympic Spirit in carnivals and festivals across the sub-region every year up to and including 2012.
The project gives the opportunity for local sports clubs to profile themselves and attract new members by providing “come and try” sessions at carnivals and festivals thereby enabling a pathway to future sports participation to become clear.
3. Team CW – Inspiring all young people in Coventry and Warwickshire to at be the best they can at sport whilst identifying and supporting those with talent to go all the way to team GB.
Whether it’s starting out on physical activity or joining their first sports club it’s an avenue to encouraging young people of all abilities to engage in physical activity, recreation and sport.
Importantly this project will also support young talented athletes through bursary schemes, Elite Performance Days and Olympic athlete mentoring.
4. Peace and Reconciliation – Using the ideas of the Games to promote fair play, unity and harmony this project builds upon these principles to develop an annual sporting competeion. Coventry Cathedral celebrates it’s Golden Jubilee in 2012 so this aspect of our work will promote Peace and Reconciliation by linking the Cathedral with London’s 2012 activity.
The aim is to ensure that a leg of the 2012 Torch relay goes through the archway between the new and old Coventry Cathedrals.
5. Stratford to Stratford – Having formed links in and between Stratford-upon- Avon and Stratford in East London, the site of the Olympic park and centre of global focus for 2012, the project will connect organisations across culture, sport, education and business.
Sharing cultures will also develop an appreciation and a celebration of the diversity and differences between the two areas that will extend the ethos and values of the Olympics outside of London.
6. Africa Inspires – In support of London 2012’s promise to inspire youth across the world this project will build relationships with Olympic teams from African nations with mutual benefits for both parties.
By offering sports development training and participation programmes, training facilities and sports administration support its anticipated that links with the nations will encourage wider sporting, cultural, educational and business benefits that endorse and promote international community cohesion.