Is London 2012 a shot in the arm or a shot in the foot?

June 2009 Ideas Exchange

The dinner/debate was very lively with a variety of opinions expressed on the true cost and legacy of London 2012 for the five Olympic boroughs. There were some extremely passionate ideas and issues raised. Many attendees were from areas local to the Olympic site, and were particularly concerned about the long term impact of the games on these boroughs.

The key note speaker, Mayor Jules Pipe, gave an informed view of the planned impact of London 2012, and of the potential issues that may prevent a positive legacy being created by the event. In particular, he raised the importance of the press getting behind the games as early as possible to ensure success.

The Big Question

However, The Ideas Exchange is predicated on a simple premise: What role do individuals have in impacting change, what can local residents and stakeholders do to ensure there is a successful legacy post Games?

The debate covered a wide range of opinions but the overwhelming view was that London and its citizens, post Olympics will not benefit in any tangible way from the Olympic legacy unless someone takes charge of its direction sooner rather than later.

There was a view that the Olympics, post Games, risked becoming divisive, between the Olympic boroughs and the rest of London and between London and the rest of the country.

As with the previous “big ideas” coming out of the Ideas Exchange dinner/debates, the focus of the discussions were less on what government could do, but more on what individuals can do to help.

The Big Idea

The big idea is the creation of a chain of Health and Fitness Centres that are exclusively for families and young people. 

The biggest legacy will not be in bricks and mortar.  A true legacy will be created only if communities are able to capitalize on the spirit of the Olympics by changing how they manage their lives as individuals and as citizens. The development of Health and Fitness Centres, exclusively for families and young people, will allow people to realize this, and create a legacy that people throughout the country could benefit from. The impact of creating safe places for families to play together and learn together is far reaching. It reinforces community. It emphasises team work and interdependence. It creates more actively involved better citizens who are more likely to work to a common cause.

So, could this be achieved?

Well, in the words of a wise man just elected to office, yes it can! Most towns in the UK have limited resources available that are accessible and that cater to the needs of young people and families in particular – there are many commercial gyms, and many statutory services available, but these are often not open to, accessible by, or attractive to these key groups. Training For Life has created a model of such a Health and Wellbeing centre in the heart of Bermondsey, South London.  It provides a fully equipped leisure resource, providing the type of services and activities that young people and families want, that they feel a part of and, most importantly, that is accessible to them both physically and financially.  A built in crèche provides opportunities for young children to exercise with their parents, and additional services such as a community kitchen and personal development and vocational training provides opportunities for this motivation to be channeled into other positive activities. Creating similar centres across Great Britain would be an excellent way of providing a lasting legacy, not just for the five Olympic boroughs, but for the country as a whole.