Councillors from all parties in Greenwich are backing the Council’s commitment to securing a legacy for all sports hosted by the borough in London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A motion was agreed unanimously by the Full Council on 30 January.
The motion welcomes the fact that Greenwich will host up to a third of the sports in the 2012 Games at:
- Greenwich Park
- Greenwich Peninsula
- the Barracks in Woolwich.
Councillors have pledged to continue working closely with sports governing bodies and with London 2012 organisers to ensure a strong sporting legacy for the borough.
The all-party backing follows concerns expressed by some within the equestrian and shooting fraternities over the legacy that will be achieved for those sports once the Games have finished.
Boost for jobs, schools, culture and economy
The Games are expected to create a substantial legacy for the borough in many other areas, including:
- a boost for jobs, training and volunteering
- boost for the tourism economy
- cultural activity and investment in local cultural industries
- curriculum and citizenship activity in schools
- physical activity programmes for all ages.
Benefits for the whole community
Council leader, Chris Roberts said, "Greenwich’s role as a host borough has at all times enjoyed support from across the political spectrum. This reflects the united belief among local councillors – and in the local community – that the benefits of hosting the 2012 Games will be long-lasting for the whole community.
"One of our most important objectives is to get more people involved in sport and physical activity, and our legacy for sport in the borough will include high-quality sports facilities that will be open to use by the local community.
"The fact that we are hosting events at Greenwich Park, Greenwich Peninsula and the Barracks in Woolwich gives us a particular opportunity to create a legacy for those sports that will help place Greenwich in the world’s sporting spotlight in 2012. We are encouraged by the continued commitment of the Olympic organisers to the Greenwich venues, and will continue to work with LOCOG to ensure that staging the events in Greenwich bring long-term legacy for those sports."
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8 February 2008