Councils are seizing this Olympic legacy opportunity

Guest post: Carolyn Downs

Chief Executive of the Local Government Association 

Many of the athletes on the winners’ podium this summer began their sporting careers in council facilities. Rebecca Adlington had her first swimming lessons at Sherwood Baths in Mansfield, which is now named after its local hero. 

 

According to a snapshot LGA survey, over 40% of councils reported an increase in people wanting to get involved in sport during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

As leaders of place and employers, councils up and down the country are working with partners to seize the opportunity to use the Games to make a long-term difference to participation in physical activity. From April 2013 councils will be responsible for public health, joining up local public health improvement and physical activity provision.

With everybody experiencing budget pressures strong partnerships between councils and the fitness sector are essential if we are going to unlock legacy.  We need to work together to ensure that public, private and voluntary physical activity provision gives everybody the chance to get more active.

 

 

*Hear more from Carolyn at the Summit; 22nd November, Congress Centre, Londo.
Book  online now or call 020 7420 8560 for more information.*

 

Guest post: Summit speaker Sally Gunnell on the real Olympic legacy

I’ve spent the last 7 years building up to a fortnight of competition.  As a British Olympic Association Ambassador, I did thousands of media interviews, sometimes spending 14 hours a day answering questions.  I led Olympic site tours.  Early ones involved hard hats, high viz jackets and plenty of imagination.  But later on, I found myself proudly pointing out the gleaming buildings in the Park.  I met with officials from LOCOG, the BOA, the IOC and Government.  The best part of the build-up phase was a fun run with thousands of others around the Olympic Park, days before the Games began.

 

I split the Games fortnight between Sky Sports’ studios (where I was doing some punditry) and the various Olympic venues, where I was shouting and screaming with thousands of others.  Unforgettable days.  But now it’s over, so what about the legacy?

 

For me, the legacy is about ordinary people.  I spend a lot of time talking with businesses and local communities about the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.  Businesses are working with me to set up employee well being programmes, I help out at countless community sports “tryout” days.  This is the legacy that matters; better health for the nation.

 

For most of us, small lifestyle changes will make a big difference.  There are leisure centres all over the UK, waiting to welcome us – regardless of age or experience.  Why not try a class or have a swim?  Go with friends or family and most importantly – enjoy it.

 

There is so much passion from across the fitness and leisure industry, trying to get people healthy and active, I am very proud to be speaking at the FIA Summit on 22 November. I can’t wait to hear about what is going on across the UK to ensure the Olympic activity legacy becomes a reality.

Book your place at the Summit now.

For more information on Sally’s Healthy Living workplace wellbeing programme visit www.sallygunnell.com, like Sally Gunnell Healthy Living on Facebook and follow @SallyGunnellHL on twitter. Sally can also be found tweeting at @SallyGunnell.