Inspire a generation and the world
Traditions die as time goes by. But Olympic Games prospers. The quadrennial global sport event since 1896 has the magic to reserve people's love for sports and unite all peoples with the inspirational power of sports. This Olympic spiritual legacy has been enriched by each previous Games.
London Olympic Games provides the world with the opportunity to enjoy its magic again and enjoy the chance to make its contribution to the legacy. The London Olympic Games in 1948 re-united a devastated world through sport. And it introduced volunteer programme in Olympic history for the first time.
As the theme goes "Inspire a generation", London Games aims at providing another enduring sporting legacy targeting at young people in today's world.
The challenge for sports today is tough and complex. We can no longer take it for granted that young people will choose sport. Some may lack the facilities. Or the coaches and role models to teach them. Others, in an age of 24-hour entertainment and instant fame, may simply lack the desire.
London's vision is to reach young people and connect them with the inspirational power of the Games. So they are inspired to choose sport.
They hold the ox by the horn, because the challenge is not only for young people and sport, but also for the development of Olympic Games.
As competitive sports are unprecedentedly commercialized and professionalized, Olympic Games has gradually become a market for businessmen, a game for sport stars and a TV show for most audiences around the world.
So reaching young people and inspiring them to choose sport may be the most effective ways to restore Olympic Games and address the challenges for both young people and sport in the long run.
Thanks to the International Inspiration program of London Games. About 12.9 million children and young people have actively participated in sport, physical education and play– many for the first time in their lives. Around 113,000 teachers, coaches and young leaders have been trained to lead sport, physical education and play in their schools and communities, learning new skills.
More importantly, many of these kids are from developing countries, such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Zambia. And this program is working to create long-term, transformational change for them through and beyond the Games in 2012.
As Beijing Games emphasizes peace and harmony, London Games' significance also reaches far beyond the city and sport, because it faces up to and addresses challenges for future generations around the world.
The vitality and prosperity of modern Olympic Games just lie in the wisdoms and inspirations provided by different host countries, which gives the whole world a chance every four years to recover its original simplicity while enjoying and participating into sports.
London understands the recipe for magical Games and has superb technical plan and breathtaking atmosphere. May the power of the Olympic Games be fully realized by its vision "Inspire a generation".
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