We're talking, of course, about inspiration. It has, alas, become a sadly over-used term – as if there's a bottling plant somewhere near Slough that can ship it out to any consultant, strategist or recruiter in need of something to pep up their otherwise mundane propositions. When I hear that 'inspirational traffic wardens' are wanted, I know I'm in the same territory that takes creativity into a search for 'creative accountants'. I fear it delivers high scores on corporate-speak bingo.
And yet...and yet...the 'person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention' has to be something to hold on to.
The term we often hear linked to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is the 'gold dust'. It's hard to define, and impossible to measure – but you know when you've seen it, or when you see the effect.
Usain Bolt delivered it in volumes, and so did Kelly Holmes. Steve Redgrave creates it by the ton – not just because of those five gold medals, but because we all know he gave up half a life to frozen mornings on the towpath and endless grinding pain in the gym – and he did so without the lure of a multi-million pound transfer fee or a seven figure share option.
Artists, writers, musicians and actors do it too – and they're now doing it for, and as a result of, London 2012. It was because the Games and the spirit that underpins Olympism remain so potent that we created the 'Inspire programme'. It does what it says – it rewards those remarkable projects that go the extra mile to create something special because of what London 2012 has brought to the UK.
After months travelling around London and the UK in 2006 and 2007 it was clear that far more people, organisations and especially young people wanted to draw on the spirit of London 2012 to help achieve their own dreams.
Our response was to stretch the Olympic and Paralympic Movements beyond their comfort zones to create a new non-commercial brand (and there's another over-used term...).Think of it as a badge of honour that marks out an idea – a festival, an art work or a symphony - that draws on the essence of the games coming to London to achieve something special.
Perhaps we lacked imagination, but the 'Inspire' title summed it up simply and clearly - just like they claim about the tin of varnish. Each project that earns the Inspire mark does so because it is achieving something remarkable in its own terms. We are clear that London 2012 doesn't run the project, or claim the credit for it.
The badge is a simple, but powerful statement that the achievements of this project are derived in part from the essence of London 2012 and the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
The scheme went live last autumn and nine months on there are now 100 great projects all around the UK taking their place in the Cultural Olympiad. Educational, sporting, community, environmental and entrepreneurial projects are now joining the programme and we're aiming to extend the scheme to far more projects over the next three years.
To demonstrate the point is the LSO 'On Track' project. This is a grassroots initiative – inspired by London 2012 and recognised with the Inspire mark - for children in deprived areas of East London. The project hopes to provide children in all 10 Olympic Host and Gateways Boroughs of East London with an opportunity to learn a musical instrument and realise their potential. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to be inspired by the very best.
LSO is taking the lead on this project but the other partners are the Barbican and London Guildhall. As part of the project players from these world leading orchestras go out into the community and coach children – the children then get the opportunity to perform along side these great players.
This week there is a celebration event for the project – a concert at the Barbican which involves over 200 children playing alongside professional performers. In total there will be around 250 performers and to top it all, the world leading violinist - Alina Ibragimova – will also be doing a solo.
In Northern Ireland, London 2012 has inspired the Ulster American Folk Park (part of the National Museums Northern Ireland) to put on for the first time a heritage project based around sport. The project – Fighting Irishmen – tells the story of emigration from Ireland to the United States through boxing. The curator – Pat O'Donnell – is a textile and costume specialist who has suddenly found herself attending boxing matches!
So, whilst the markets might send the gold price higher, and you might say that real 'inspiration' is something that money can't buy, we're trying hard to share out the gold dust of London 2012 as generously as we can...
