175 projects recognised so far across the UKThe London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced today the success of the first phase of the London 2012 Inspire programme and its plans, as a result of this early success, to roll the programme out widely across the whole of the UK.
The Inspire programme is opening up the opportunity for millions of people to be touched by London 2012 and help deliver a sporting and cultural legacy. It is the first time that any Organising Committee has used a version of its core logo to recognise non-commercial projects and events inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
More than 175 non-commercial projects – over 100 of which are now part of The Cultural Olympiad - have already been recognised through the Inspire programme and carry the sought-after Inspire Mark. LOCOG estimates that ten million people will participate in the scheme by 2012.
The Inspire programme was initially launched as part of The Cultural Olympiad. Since its launch, the cultural and creative communities of the UK have been enthusiastic in drawing on the inspiration of London 2012 to create amazing projects as part of the Inspire programme.
As part of the drive to push the Inspire programme nationally, LOCOG announced today that the Inspire programme has been extended to include not just culture, but also sport, education, sustainability, volunteering and business opportunities projects and events. The national reach of the programme is being boosted by the recruitment of 12 regional managers (‘Inspire Programmers’) and a major push to attract new applicants in all sectors is now underway.
The Inspire programme is open to non-commercial organisations which have vibrant, exceptional projects and events inspired by the London 2012 Games. Successful projects and events carry the Inspire Mark on their publicity materials, are officially recognised as being part of London 2012 and will benefit from the marketing and communications support, as well as exclusive networking opportunities.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “The fantastic response we’ve had shows that London 2012 is already turning into ‘Everyone’s Games’ with people wanting to get involved. We created the Inspire Mark so that everyone across the UK could be part of London 2012 and help us deliver the sporting and cultural legacy we promised. So, if you feel inspired by London 2012 and want to be part of it, now’s your chance.’
Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympics said: “The Inspire Mark sets a higher benchmark for ambition and achievement capturing the unique motivational power of the Games.”
Animation Decathlon is one of The Cultural Olympiad projects to be recognised with the Inspire Mark. It was devised as an innovative, interactive and outdoor multimedia celebration of arts and sports, inspired by London 2012. A huge projection, cast onto Kensington Town hall and its surrounding buildings, showed animated characters - based on children’s designs of athletes - pole vaulting, sprinting and swimming around and up and down the buildings. Following a great response from the public, the project is now being developed for a number of new locations, including local schools and youth clubs.
StreetGames: Legacy Leaders is a sports project recognised by the Inspire programme, which delivers sport directly into disadvantaged communities. Motivated by the excitement of the UK winning the Olympic bid, StreetGames was able to utilise this in its drive to engage young people into sport and volunteering.
Jane Ashworth of StreetGames said: “Our goal is to make sport accessible to all young people regardless of income and social circumstances – an objective which embodies the Olympic and Paralympic Values. Our team is inspired by this genuine opportunity to help more young people living in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged areas, access sport. London 2012 is undoubtedly a catalyst for change and we are proud to be part of that. The impact of being recognized as part of London 2012 is huge.”
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For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the
website. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog
Notes to editors: As it heads towards its £2bn budget for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LOCOG now has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF, Lloyds TSB and Nortel. There are three domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, Cadbury and Deloitte. There are ten domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, Crystal CG, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Holiday Inn, McCann Worldgroup, The Nielsen Company, Populous and Trident.
The Worldwide Olympic Partners signed up for London 2012 are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.
Inspire London 2012’s Inspire programme will help bring the benefits of the 2012 Games to every part of the UK by giving millions the opportunity to participate as never before.
Non-commercial organisations delivering projects and events genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Games can apply to have them recognised through the Inspire programme. Mirroring LOCOG’s brand values, only the most accessible, participative, inspiring and stimulating projects and events will achieve the mark – across sport, culture, education, environment, volunteering and business skills. Projects and events recognised through the Inspire programme will be awarded the Inspire Mark, part of London 2012’s brand family. To apply for the Inspire Mark, please visit www.london2012.com/beinspired.
The Cultural Olympiad The Cultural Olympiad is a national celebration of culture which is happening now and is about:
Giving everyone in the country a chance to be part of London 2012.
Putting culture at the heart of the Olympic Games, in a way and on a scale which has never been done before.
Using the power of the Olympic Games to inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially amongst young people.
Making a real impact which will leave a lasting legacy well beyond 2012.
Games’ Logos
Fundamental to the funding of Olympic and Paralympic Games, Games’ logos are normally only allowed to be used by a Games’ funders. As part of LOCOG’s vision of a ‘Games for Everyone’, it has worked with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Government Olympic Executive to create the first ever non-commercial version of a Games’ logo – the Inspire Mark. Non-commercial organizations can apply for it completely free of charge. So, for the first time anybody can apply for a special version of the Games logo and become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Details of the criteria and application process can be found on the London 2012
website.
