Prime Minister sees tangible evidence of London 2012's international legacy

The PM met young leaders whose lives have been transformed through programmes run by International Inspiration and who are using sport to keep children away from the dangers of violence, prostitution and drugs. The training they receive builds their confidence and self esteem, as well as encouraging them to realize their ambition and full potential. They then become powerful advocates for change, helping others in their communities to improve their lives.  

One of the young leaders, 16 year old João Paulo Souza told the PM,  "Before International Inspiration, I felt isolated from everyone at school. Today I feel respected and the school community considers me an important member and I am frequently invited to lead initiatives and feel valued by all".

The 14 young leaders organised today’s festival for 40 children chosen by the Gol de Letra Foundation, which works with at-risk children in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Local partners are integral to the success of International Inspiration, ensuring a lasting legacy in the countries and communities embraced by the project.

International Inspiration is a unique partnership of public and private organisations with UK Sport, UNICEF UK and the British Council the key players.  Other partners include the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Department for International Development, the Premier League, LOCOG, the British Olympic Foundation and the British Paralympic Association and the Youth Sport Trust.

An Olympic first, with the backing of the IOC, International Inspiration is already changing lives in five countries and is being rolled out in five more this year. It also directly benefits the UK through a programme of school links, providing opportunities for children and young people to learn from each other’s cultures and experiences.

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For more information (UK) please contact James Rowe at the British Council Press Office on 020 7389 4939 james.rowe@britishcouncil.org  or (Brazil) Neri Accioly at the British Embassy on 061 3329 2326 neri.accioly@fco.gov.uk    

Notes to editors

International Inspiration is a programme which aims to use the power of sport to transform the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities, in schools and communities across the world, particularly in developing countries, through the power of high quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play.

Delivering the ambitions promised by the London bid team in Singapore, the programme aims to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport and to see millions more young people across the world participating in sport and improving their lives as a result ’.

Already making a difference to young people’s lives, with £9 million of funding, projects have started in 2008 in five pilot countries: Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Palau and Zambia.  Five more countries and £16 million more funding has been committed and the aspiration is to reach 12 million children in 20 countries by 2012.

International Inspiration has received the formal support of the International Olympic Committee as an international legacy programme for the London 2012 Games.

For more information, visit www.uksport.gov.uk/internationalinspiration