Lord Sebastian Coe
NAN
The Chief Executive Officer, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), Lord Sebastian Coe, has promised to support efforts to stage the Olympic Games in Africa.
A LOCOG statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Tuesday in Lagos said that Coe spoke at the London Games’ Global Sports Development Programme in Tanzania.
It said Coe strongly supported the Olympic Games coming to Africa, because athletes from the African continent had constantly enriched the Games and inspired the world, through their outstanding performances.
“Like many around the world, it will also be a dream for me to see the Games staged on this continent and once the London Games are over, I will do what I can to help in efforts to bring the Games to Africa,” it said.
The statement said that he paid tribute to former South African President, Nelson Mandela for his support to 2012 London Games which would hold from July 27 to August 12.
It quotes him as saying yesterday that Mandela, along with several Africa’s best athletes and sports administrators, held an important place in the London 2012 Games.
It said that Coe, accompanied by Tanzania’s legendary running great, Filbert Bayi, visited the Kibafila Secondary School, near Tanzania’s National Sports Stadium, in the capital, Dar es Salaam.
The statement added that he participated with the students and young leaders in a series of sports displays.
It also noted that internationally admired long distance runner, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia is one of the international ambassadors for the London 2012 Bid.
The IOC’s Coordination Commission, which has been overseeing preparations for the London 2012 Games, includes Moroccan Nawal El Moutawakel; Namibian, Frankie Fredericks; and South African, Sam Ramsamy.
In other areas, the IAAF President and IOC member, Senegalese, Lamine Diack, has supported efforts to ensure the London 2012 Olympic Stadium has a long-term track and field legacy after the Games.
“We owe a great debt of thanks to Africa, including the great Nelson Mandela, who supported our bid to bring the Games to London, and who has continued to be a source of inspiration to everyone in the London 2012 Games,” the statement said
It said that after visiting Tanzania, Coe would visit Morocco between February 9 and February 10 for talks with national Olympic officials and athletes, including Nawal El Moutawakel and Hicham El Guerrouj.
The statement noted that nine countries in Africa were involved with the International Inspiration Programmes -- Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana -- more than any other continent.
It said the commitment by Africa’s National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, schools, governments and partners, including the British Council, helped to demonstrate the important benefits of sport in local communities and in children’s lives.
“International Inspiration goes to the heart of the London 2012 Games and our determination to use the Games as a catalyst for change in people’s lives as well in communities, as we promised in our bid,” it said.
It noted the examples from the Olympic and Paralympic International Inspiration programmes, of how sport and physical activity and practicing them could aid young people to build bridges with the communities where they live and beyond.
“It can be anything from linking with others to have a common purpose and build friendships, or boosting self-esteem by achieving modest and quiet personal bests, or the opportunity to train and be coached to achieve sporting success.”
The statement said that London 2012’s International Inspiration programme had reached more than 12 million children and young people around the world.
This, it notes, is based on London’s vision to use the reach of the Games and Olympic and Paralympic Movements to connect more young people with sport.
Sally Robinson, British Council Director, in Tanzania, who had been working with local authorities to deliver the programme said: “The lasting impact that International Inspiration will have in Tanzania is in effecting institutional changes”.
The statement added that through an enhanced school curriculum and prioritised good quality sport in education and institutionalising behavioural change, people with disabilities would be involved in mainstream activities.
It will also lead to attitudinal change and women’s engagement in sport, it said.