GOV.UK
Policy
Creating a lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Contents
Issue
London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games included plans for what would happen after the Games: the Olympic and Paralympic legacy.
The government wants to put those plans into action to create a lasting economic, sporting and cultural legacy that will benefit the whole country.
Actions
The Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Unit oversees the government’s and Mayor of London’s programme of legacy activity, across the UK and internationally.
The team works with businesses, charities, arm’s length bodies, and regional and local partners.
Lord Coe is the Prime Minister’s Legacy Ambassador to advise on the legacy programme. He acts as a roving global ambassador to help win new trade and investment deals for British business. He also advises and challenges the government and the Mayor of London in support of their work to create a lasting legacy.
On 19 July 2013, the government and Mayor of London published the report Inspired by 2012: the legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. On 23 July 2014, the second annual report was published to capture legacy activities in the second year after the Games, Inspired by 2012: the legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games - second annual report.
In addition the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published an independent meta-evaluation of the impact of the Games, and UKTI has published a report into delivery of the economic legacy.
The long term vision for the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was published on 13 February 2014.
Economic growth
The Games are forecast to generate £13 billion for the UK economy over 4 years. With the GLA, we are working to make the most of the trade and investment opportunities arising from the London 2012 Games.
Read more about the economic legacy.
Sport and healthy living
From grassroots to elite level, across schools, sport centres and community venues throughout the country, London 2012 has laid foundations that will inspire a generation and help transform people’s relationship with physical activity, including sport, whatever their age, background or ability.
Read more on the sport and healthy living legacy.
Communities
Through community projects that took place across the country and the torch relay, the Olympic and Paralympic spirit touched the lives of millions in the UK. We’re aiming to capture this spirit to create positive change at a community level.
Read more about the communities legacy.
East London regeneration
London 2012 was the catalyst for one of the largest and most ambitious transformation projects undertaken in Europe in recent times. One of the most important legacies is the development of the Olympic Park and surrounding areas in east London. This includes new waterways and green spaces, the north and south park, Westfield shopping centre, the East Village district, as well as 4 other districts that will be developed for communities living in east London over the next 5 to 7 years.
Read more on the east London regeneration legacy.
Paralympic legacy
The Paralympic legacy programme has 3 main themes:
- transforming the perception of disabled people in society
- supporting opportunities to participate in sport and physical activities
- promoting community engagement through the Games
Read more on the Paralympic legacy
Background
In 2003 the government of the day, the GLA and the London Development Agency (LDA) agreed to bid for the 2012 Games to be held in London.
In 2005 London was awarded the 2012 Games based on a bid that promised an enduring legacy.
In 2009 the Olympic Park Legacy Company was created, and the Olympic Host Boroughs developed a Strategic Regeneration Framework for reducing their levels of social and economic disadvantage to match other London boroughs (a process known as ‘convergence’).
In 2011 the London Legacy Development Corporation was established as the UK’s first Mayoral Development Corporation.
In March 2012 the Department of Culture, Media and Sport published Beyond 2012 - The London 2012 Legacy Story.
Between July and September 2012, London hosted the Olympic & Paralympic Games.
It will take at least another 10 years for the full benefits of the legacy from the London 2012 Games to be realised.
Who we’re working with
- London Legacy Development Corporation
- Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Mayor of London
- UK government departments
- arms’ length bodies (eg Sport England and UK Sport)
- UK local authorities
- Scottish government
- Welsh government
- Northern Ireland government