And beyond that, there's a wealth of talent and creativity at a local level all around the UK where school children, community groups and individuals are involved in cultural projects. Groups like Diversity who recently won Britain's Got Talent - young people who off their own bat have worked long and hard in the studio, enjoying the stimulus of performing together, creating new work and entertaining audiences.
It's this energy and vibrancy across the board that excites me in my new role on the board of LOCOG and Chair of the new Cultural Olympiad Board.
Already a lot of good work has gone on behind the scenes to build up a comprehensive programme for the Cultural Olympiad. Now we're preparing to moving into the next phase, commissioning new works, getting the creative teams together and ensuring that we have world class theatre, music, exhibitions, street art, festivals and more that will excite our own nation, as well as be a showcase for overseas visitors.
Key to its success will be participation by a huge percentage of our population and a real legacy, once London 2012 has been and gone, of cultural activity and creativity across the land from the smallest community project to our world class performing companies.
