International Inspiration

The flagship sports legacy programme of London 2012 is International Inspiration, which is delivered in partnership between the British Council, UNICEF and UK Sport.  The programme was developed from Lord Coe’s promise to inspire a generation. It addresses sports educational issues around the globe by inspiring millions of young people.

The target was to work in 20 countries and change the lives of 12 million children. A full year before the 2012 Opening Ceremony we had achieved our targets. We now estimate that the lives of 14 million children have been changed by International Inspiration.

International Inspiration empowers young people, brings schools and communities together, and promotes health and education for all in 21 countries (including the UK): Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, UK and Zambia. 

The programme works on three levels: with policy makers, sports practitioners and directly with children and young people.  It seeks to change the way countries are promoting the role of sport in the school curriculum and to ensure that any policy changes are implemented effectively. 

International Inspiration is the first international sports development programme conceived and implemented by an Olympic and Paralympic host city. The International Olympic Committee has been impressed with the achievements of International Inspiration and has expressed an interest in finding ways to continue the programme.

'The links we have made with our partner school in Brazil have been fantastic – integrating children with impairments into school through sport is a massive undertaking, but this is now taking shape.' (Jackie, Teacher, St Giles School)