One in four inspired by Olympic success

A new Sport England survey has shown that over a quarter of the English population has been inspired to play more sport or become more involved in sport following the Team GB performance at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

The survey questioned members of the public and also interviewed 11 national governing bodies of sport – which included gymnastics, judo, swimming, triathlon and amateur boxing – in early October.

Key findings showed that, since the Athens Olympics, 11 per cent of the public were now involved in more sport; 15 per cent said they would be interested in doing more sport as a result of the British Olympic success and 71 per cent said they enjoyed the feelgood factor as a result of Team GB performances at the Olympics.

Chief executive of Sport England, Roger Draper, said: "This research confirms that major international sporting events have a significant impact on boosting the public's positive perception about sport. We look forward to seeing more people getting off the couch and onto the track."

Most of the 11 governing organisations that were questioned in the survey also believed that, if London was successful in its bid to host the 2012 Games, it would have a major impact on the future levels of participation for their sport.

Medal-winning sports such as cycling, badminton and canoeing believe that a London Olympics could potentially treble the number of active participants around Britain while both sailing and triathlon representatives believe there would also be as significant upsurge in public commitment to the sport, were the 2012 bid a success.

Badminton, cycling, sailing and boxing have also reported significant increases in communication levels with potential newcomers to their sport.

Each sport surveyed has also said that they now enjoy a higher profile than before the Games and that, during the recent Olympics time span, they all dealt with more enquiries from the public than ever before.

Chair of the London 2012 bid, Sebastian Coe, said: "This demonstrates what I believe is a great strength for London's bid – the UK's passion for sport. Sport drives so much of what we are as a nation, what we feel, what we talk about, what we care about. Sport matters."