Sebastian Coe has been unveiled as the chair of the newly formed sports development charity International Inspiration, which looks to deliver on the London 2012 promise to reach out to young people all around the world and connect them to the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
International Inspiration was formed last month through the merger of International Development through Sport and II Foundation.
International Development through Sport was founded in 1990 to foster the development of and access to sport in developing countries, while II Foundation was established in 2009 to deliver the London 2012 international sport and social legacy program, which was actually called International Inspiration.
International Development through Sport was chaired by Anita White, who will now serve as International Inspiration vice-chair, while II Foundation was chaired by Sir Keith Mills, who was deputy chair of London 2012 and chief executive of the London 2012 bid team.
“It is an honor for me to be appointed chair of International Inspiration,” said Coe, who is also chairman of London 2012 and the British Olympic Association (BOA).
“I am delighted that, through the work of the II Foundation, chaired by my friend and colleague Sir Keith Mills, the promise I made in Singapore back in 2005 has led to millions of children experiencing the inspirational power of the Games.
“This venture is an opportunity to be involved personally in making sure that the legacy of London 2012 benefits the youth of the world for many years to come, and that the UK continues to blaze a trail as a global leader in enriching lives through sport for development.”
The appointment means Coe fills yet another crucial position in ensuring a tangible legacy from London 2012 as he is also the Olympics legacy ambassador to Prime Minister David Cameron.
“Completion of the International Inspiration programme through to 2014, and continued successful delivery of on-going IDS programs, will be of top priority for Trustees of the newly merged charity,” said White.
“Looking ahead, the new organization will bring great opportunities for useful synergies between initiatives in countries where they are co-located.
“Future programs will be designed to replicate best practice from both charities and build on what we are learning from our research projects to break new ground and further develop the sector.”
The International Inspiration program has already enriched the lives of over 12 million children in 20 countries around the world and trained more than 124,000 teachers, community coaches and Young Sports Leaders to deliver high-quality, inclusive physical education and sport.
This was the first international legacy program of any Olympic and Paralympic host nation.
Contact the writer of this story at tom.degun@insidethegames.biz. Inside the Games is a blog of the London Organizing Committee that oversaw the recent Summer Olympics. Its writers continue to report on issues affecting the Olympic movement. This article is reprinted here with permission from the editors.