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International Inspiration

Four-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy has visited the students of Cheshire’s Hartford High School, to encourage them in their involvement in International Inspiration, London 2012’s international legacy programme. Photograph: British Council

International Inspiration participants in Egypt

Learn how to play 'Mundo' a traditional game in Mozambique, through the International Inspiration traditional games resources

International Inspiration's Young Leaders at UK School Games.

“We promised that the lives of 12 million young people would change through the power of sport, so a year out from the Games I am delighted to announce that we have fulfilled that pledge.” Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, 25 July 2011

What is International Inspiration?

International Inspiration is the London 2012 official sports legacy programme. The programme uses the power of sport to enrich 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.

The British Council works closely with UK Sport, YST and UNICEF, as well as the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), to deliver this ambitious project.

Where is International Inspiration taking place?

International Inspiration is building international partnerships between education and sport reformers, teachers and young people in the following countries:

Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palau, Pakistan, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda and Zambia.

Highlights

This year on the 1st February, Egypt was named the 20th and final country to join International Inspiration. On that same day LOCOG announced that the programme has kept it pledge to enrich the lives of 12 million children in 20 countries around the world through the power of sport and play.
On the 27th July 2011, LOCOG announced that International Inspiration has kept its promise to reach 12 million children around the world, a year ahead of schedule.
2011 saw the programme launch in Ghana, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Traditional games resources have been developed specifically to recognise each country's participation in the International Inspiration programme since 2007. Each of the 20 overseas countries and the UK has selected a game that they feel best represents their culture and traditions. These 21 games are showcased in this resource for young people to play and share, using physical education as a tool to develop learning and inspire intercultural dialogue. The games are available to download.

The British Council global programme inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Big Dance, BT River of Music, English for the Games, International Inspiration, International Showcase, International Voices, Poetry Parnassus, Unlimited, The Changing Room, World Olympic Dreams, World Shakespeare Festival and World Stages