Footballer David Beckham is one of a galaxy of British sporting stars who are lending their weight to International Inspiration to help young people across the world participate in sport.

Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and athletes Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson are all Olympic and Paralympic medal winners.

These sporting heroes are joining soccer supremo David Beckham as ambassadors for International Inspiration, a project which is part of the legacy programme for the London Olympics in 2012.

Pledging his support, David Beckham said: ‘My involvement, both when London won the bid in Singapore in 2005 and at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, made me realise the power of the Olympic Games. Sport is a language that everyone speaks, and it can be used to change lives. Through International Inspiration, we have an opportunity to give millions of children the chance to experience the thrill and excitement that being involved in sport brings. We can use sport to teach them about trust and respect and we can boost their confidence. It’s a chance for them to learn how to stay safe, keep healthy and in some cases stay alive.’

International Inspiration's international legacy project for children and young people is the first of its kind for the Olympic and Paralympic movements. The project is already changing the lives of young people in eight countries, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Jordan, Mozambique, Palau and Zambia – with work beginning in Ghana, and Trinidad and Tobago. There are also plans underway to spread the project to Malaysia, Nigeria and South Africa.

Using high quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play, International Inspiration is working in each of these countries with not only children and young people, but also their teachers, community volunteers and coaches as well as governments to ensure that the results are sustainable and life-changing for future generations. The aspiration is to reach 12 million children in 20 countries by the time of the 2012 Games.

Over her career Dame Tanni has won a total of 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 golds, held over 30 world-records, and won the London Marathon six times between 1992 and 2002.

She added: ‘When I was growing up, sport for disabled people didn't get that much coverage on television. But I remember saying that I was going to be there one day, on the starting line with everyone else.
‘Millions of children living in poverty around the world never even get to the starting line. If they're disabled, they've got even less chance. That's why I am so proud to be involved with International Inspiration.’

Read more about the International Inspiration legacy.