Press Release 27 April 2012

Football superstar David Beckham, 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius, rowing legend Matthew Pinsent and Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis are just a few of the international sports stars who have thrown their support behind London 2012's International Inspiration sports legacy programme in an inspiring short film.

The three minute online video features well-known current and former athletes from sports including football, athletics, tennis and rowing, alongside young people who have benefited from the programme in countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Egypt.

The athletes are asked to tell the viewer how they've been inspired by sport. The film is being used to promote International Inspiration's Inspired by Sport photography exhibition at the Museum of London next week.

The exhibition is the culmination of work by International Inspiration, a unique partnership between UNICEF, the British Council and UK Sport, to realise London 2012's legacy promise to enrich the lives of 12 million children in 20 countries in time for this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games, a double-feat the programme achieved in Febraury this year.

World-famous photographer Rankin has teamed up with London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe and a host of Olympic and Paralympic athletes for the exhibition which features photographs of Seb Coe, Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Louise Hazel and James Ellington. The photographs convey the inspirational power of sport alongside images - taken by a host of international photographers -of young people around the world whose lives have been enriched by the programme and are inspired by sport.

Each photograph demonstrates how International Inspiration is harnessing the power of inclusive physical education, sport and play to address issues such as gender equality, ganag violence, lack of educational opportunities, life skills development, HIV/AIDS education and intercultural awareness in countries from Azerbaijan to Zambia.

Inspired by Sport runs from 2-13 May 2012 and entry is FREE.

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