What have the Games got to do with me?

Key questions

Why did London win the bid to host the Olympics in 2012?

How much sport do we do and where do we do it?

Will young people benefit from the Games as the vision suggests

Why did London win the bid to host the Olympics in 2012?

On 6 July 2005 the London 2012 delegation travelled to Singapore to make their final presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This included 30 young people from east London. One of the reasons London won the Olympic bid was owing to this focus on young people, from around the world being inspired by Olympic sport to do sport and the positive effect that this would have on peoples’ futures around the globe. Lord Coe said that the purpose of the Games is to “inspire young people” and that “London’s multi-cultural mix of 200 nations represent the youth of the world” 

How much sport do we do and where do we do it?

In the most official recent survey it was found that increasingly fewer and fewer young people are interested in playing sport or getting involved in other physical activities and levels of childhood obesity are on the rise. It is hoped that the Olympics will encourage everyone to challenge themselves to do more sport. In fact the ethos of the Games is being used to encourage people to set any challenge to achieve something by 2012, not just sport.

Will young people benefit from the Games as the vision suggests?

Rising costs (VAT bill, security and contingency funding) have resulted in the Games cost projections reaching £9.3 billion. £675 million worth of funding has been allocated from the National Lottery. Some people have argued that this may result in other good causes losing out on funding in the run up to 2012 including, Sport England.

The 2012 Games may inspire young people to get more involved in sport and physical activities and some of them may well be competitors at the Games themselves. For example, London 2012 has recently launched a search for young peple who because of their height may have the potential, with training, to become rowers for the 2012 Games. However, not everyone can compete in the Games and if raised participation in sport is to be sustained most young people will also need accessible local sporting facilities. How well are the young people provided for in terms of sporting facilities in your local area?

Starter

How sporty is your class?

Download 'A questionnaire of sport'.

On a map of your local area mark on the places people in your class take part in sport. You might find an OS map of your local area or Google Earth will help you find some of these sporting locations.

What kind of places are they?

How important is sport to your class?

Main Activity

An Olympics for the young people of the world?

Many people hope that the Olympics will inspire young people to be involved in sport. 

What benefits do you think the Olympics have for young people?

Do you think the Olympics inspire young people to take part in sport?

Download What's the Games got to do with me?

Organise statements from the ones you most believe to be true to the ones you least believe to be true. Decide if the Olympics will, in your opinion, benefit the youth of the UK. For example, will the games provide a lasting legacy of stadia that young people will aspire to perform in?

Draw the Olympic circles on a piece of paper. Write one way the Olympics will be good for the youth of UK and of the World in each circle.

Plenary

So how much does it all cost?

The cost of the Olympics has risen since the UK was first awarded the games in 2005. The original estimate was £2.4bn to build the Olympic park and stadium. Construction is now budgeted at £5.3bn, there is a £2.7bn contingency fund (money available if it is needed).

Where does this money come from?

According to games organisers, the funding for the Olympics comes from three sources:

1. Thirty six per cent from Central Government

2. Twenty three per cent from National Lottery good causes fund

3. Thirteen per cent from the Mayor of London and London development agency

How does this effect young people?

Well the money comes from taxation and everybody pays tax. Plus the funding from the national lottery could be put towards other good causes, many of which are to benefit children. The move to raise money from the lottery has raised fears in the voluntary sector that charities could lose out as lottery money is diverted away from traditional good causes.

News round

Write a 200 word news report for Newsround. How will the Olympics effect young people in Britain? You could use arguments for and against the Olympics.