Inspiring sport events

I have no interest in viewing or attending any sport. I am however fairly active and walk at least 10km per day.

For me the olympics were just a massive disruption. Not only was my work travel from north to south London, but my employer canceled all annual leave for the entire period of main and para with a buffer either side.

But of course many people do like sports for some reason so the gov should take notice of these people.

I have to confess that none of these huge sporting events have made me more physically active. But then I am naturally lazy. But surely they raised the profile of both the UK and London? And gave many people the opportunity to participate and contribute to these events. And the chance to attend a global sporting event that they may not otherwise have been able to afford to do in another country.

And I feel that that such events do make people more aware of physical activity/sport, and encourage them to be more active. And has brought home issues such as the lack of school sports amenities/playing fields. Even if children are inspired by these sporting events, they don't have the facilities to pursue their ambitions.

Was there a downside to the Olympics? Definitely: the local residents and businesses displaced from their homes and premises. Absolutely shameful, and I'm not convinced that it was necessary.

The olympics were a disaster for London and a real pain for Londoners. Hope no Mayor ever makes that mistake again. Also the annual BAD BORIS BIKE EVENT that annually traps people in their houses and innconveniences so many people isanother crazy event. Just angers people and puts them of because of the fanatical Lycra warriors!

Frankly, I don’t follow sport very much and don’t attend any of these major sporting events. They certainly don’t inspire me to undertake more sporting activities as I am already very active. However, I recognise this is a minority view and am happy for London to host these events, providing that expenses are limited to a reasonable level. 

I start with the assumption that it's a good thing to get more people more active. I now bike frequently, not because it's cheaper (I enjoy free PT), but because it's healthier for me, better for the environment, sometimes enjoyable, and often quicker. I don't see that big sporting events do much to help. I'm unlikely to go to many because I have other demands on my cash. I'm just as happy watching cricket or rugby in a park; after all, it's just men and women running around. But I acccept I take some interest in the big events; I watch them on TV. I don't think that has much influence on what I do, but it shouldn't be too hard to measue the effect on us all. Cost is of course a factor. NFL games may help if, far from costing us (the country, London, my borough) money, they bring money into the country. Other events may be a drain on public finances, in which case it's fair to ask if the money would do more if spent on school or community playing fields, or on campaigns to encourage wider participation. 

Chelsea season ticket holder here: I have been fairly active since a child in sport and am an FA-qualified coach too. The Olympics was most definitely underwhelming but I love watching a great Chelsea match, esp in UEFA Champions League nights. And even abroad: been all the way to Japan, Thailand & Indonesia with CFC. Rugby my second favourite but far behind football. 

Attended the olympic, (well, worked there in a medical capacity, and bagged a lot of extra tickets as the venues were mostly empty due to the booking shambles), but that's pretty much it, sport to me is somehting you do, but not watch. 

I've been to and taken my kids to lots of the sporting events in London and have been proud that my City is so welcoming and supportive. The Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 were a huge success with events supported like never before. Since then the Ride London has become a staple part of the year and the worlds largest cycling participation event; the World Athletics in 2017 was brilliant; the Olympic Velodrome has hosted great competitions; the O2 has become the home of the tennis ATP Finals; the England Women's cricket team won the World Cup and Lords and hopefully the men's team can do the same next year. Many of these events are supported by 1000s of volunteers helping to welcome visitors and keep people safe. Elite sport in London is a huge success story and something we can be justifiably proud of.

More does need to be done to invest in grass roots sports and sports facilities and this is still an area where the Mayor can do more. Investing in activities that engage young people through sport can help improve lives and reduce crime and it is no coincidence that the current increase in violent crime has come after years of cuts to youth services. It would also help if open space is designed well and incorporated into new developments like Earls Court and Nine Elms.

In terms of inspiring more activity I've gone from not having ridden a bike in years to having taken part in the Ride London four times. Not bad for a middle-aged, overweight office worker.

Whilst I appreciate all comments I don’t necessarily agree with them.

having volunteered at the Olympics, Paralympics, Rugby World Cup, ICC ChampionsTrophy, International Hockey, World Athletics, World Para Athletics et al and spoken to both athletes and spectators we should be proud as all have made positive remarks about London’s ability to host World Class sporting Events.

As to the question asked about inspiring me to take up more sport then I guess it has, as I volunteer and that’s a very active “sport” in itself.

Finally, to the detractors, you need to get out more ;-))

The economic benefits on these events are extremely dubious, based on "research" done by those who want the events which tend to inflate the benefits and understate the costs.  Look at the Olympic venues around the world left idle. Dont waste time and effort chasing these, they make no real long term impact and are more for the owners of the events and self-legacy seeking politicians and organis

GOOD FOR YOU

Anoither one, nice to know we exist, isn't it?

The Olympics were a net economic loss for London and the UK economy.  The event itself dissuaded thousands from visiting London at that time, and significant numbers of Londoners simply left because of the scaremongering about overcrowding and congestion (which of course meant none of that happened).   The regeneration in Stratford was welcome, but the Olympics were not needed to do this.  The stadium itself was a massive transfer of wealth from future taxpayers to West Ham (the Olympics were paid by borrowed money, none of which is going to be paid off for many years). 

Events are fine, as long as they don't require a lot of taxpayer money. 

I am a reasonably active 76 year old male. I have always got around by cycling, walking or using public transport. I have never owned a car.. Honestly, I have never needed a global sporting event to inspire me to be physically active. This is does not mean I am not interested in sport. Over the years I think I have obtained a knowledge of the geography and economy of the counties around London that many "locals" do not seem to possess. Too often their mobility seems to be limited by their use of the ubquitous 4X4's.  Car culture is a problem that exists all around us. Look at the school run, for instance. Why can't . children walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school ? At the time I regarded the 2012 Olympics as a white elephant which earned profits for property companies and TV companies and made local people homeless, less we forget. Whether they "nudged" people into undertaking physical activity that they would not have otherwise undertaken is a moot point.

The olympics were a total disaster

The overweening publicity & groupthink & blatant censorship was quite sickening - NOT ONE DISSENTING VOICE was allowed on radio, TV or press

It is my estimate that a mjority of Londoners wanted the whole thing OVER before it even beagn, but we were not allowed to say so ...

Never mind the "paralympics" which resembeled nothing so much as a 19h Century "Freak Show" - quite disgusting & exploitative.