Assembly launches probe into Olympics legacy
- Published: 11 July 2008 15:50
- Author: Simon Ellery
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- Last Updated: 14 July 2008 10:00
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The sport committee of the London Assembly has launched an investigation into the legacy of the 2012 Olympics.
The move comes amid growing concern that a tightening of finances because of the credit crunch will dilute earlier promises of a wave of sporting facilities across London.
The study follows an assembly visit to Newham Sports Academy, which has been hailed a success since being developed by Newham LBC and Tessa Sanderson OBE. Launched in 2006, the project matches talented young athletes with elite coaches to prepare for the London Games.
Assembly member Dee Doocey, chair of the economic development, culture, sport and tourism committee, said: "We want to see what the sports legacy for local children is going to be from the Olympics."
Sports clubs 'lack funding'
She said: "My main concern is a lack of funding for local sports clubs."
Ms Doocey blamed the diversion of Lottery Funding from sports bodies.
"This is a big problem, talk is cheap, the reality is local sports clubs are closing down because they're short of funding."
She admitted that the committee did not have any power as such but it does have a "huge amount of influence and our job is to inform and influence".
A report on legacy of the Olympics is due to be published in the summer by the London mayor's sports advisor Kate Hoey MP.
