As part of my work with London 2012 I have the pleasure of getting out and about, finding out how the Games are really inspiring the UK – not least with the Inspire programme. I was recently at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate a milestone for an Inspire mark project, 'Street Games Legacy Leaders'. They were celebrating three years of delivering 'Doorstep Sport', reaching one million young people in deprived communities across the UK.
London 2012 official poster gold edition box set
£120.00
I would love to see more weightlifting facilities in communities. Weightlifting has all but been squeezed out by modern (bodybuilding) gyms and yet it's the only olympic lifting event. It's an exciting, fun sport with the focus on athletic ability, not how you look in the mirror. The equipment required for weightlfiting is not found in most gyms (likewise the coaching expertise) and the number of weightlifting clubs in the UK has plummeted. I'm lucky enough to go to Bethnal Green club in East London, which has a history stretching back to the 1920s. People travel there from all over London but it has always been a venue for the local community too. These days we're in constant danger of being closed down. With the olympics coming to east London, you'd have to hope that olympic sports clubs like this one could be better supported. However I also think that lifting weights can be incredibly empowering both for young people and also those of us a bit older who can explore abilities we've never developed before. I'd especially love to see more women involved in weightlifting.