Three years on I am witnessing a complete turnaround. I am attending events where I am being told very passionately about the opportunities and benefits regions and communities are already extracting from the Games and how the Games in 2012 are being seen as a catalyst for sporting, cultural and social cohesion.
To me this is a seismic shift. Seeing first hand individuals, groups, organisations and communities embrace the London 2012 Games and claim them as their own is what the Olympic and Paralympic movements are all about.
At LOCOG we are guardians for 7 years of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We will stage great events that the UK will be proud of.
But the spirit and the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games belong to everyone. They inspire us all to reach inside ourselves and strive for something more.
It has been an honour to share this London 2012-inspired weekend with hundreds of organisations and thousands of people around the UK.
