The official site ofthe Mayor of Londonand the London Assembly

To get more people outside, the first thing to do is to guarantee air free of diesel pollution, because runners and cyclists are being poisoned by black cabs and delivery mopeds/vans. London wide ULEZ can't come soon enought, but it should also not make any exeptions to taxis. I'm sure that streets with clean air would attract many more cyclists and runners. 

Wow, so many negative comments on the Olympics. I'm a working mother of two who worked at Liverpool Street when the olympics took place. I thought London did a great job of hosting the olympics and managing the congestion. I was not negatively impacted by the Olympics being hosted in London. I also attended couple of sporting events with my children. We had a fantastic time and we all felt proud of the achievement and success. I cannot comment on the financial aspect of it, obviously it did cost the tax payer a lot of money. Whether we were net losers or gainers financially I cannot comment. However a lot of positives came out of it that cannot be quantified financially. I felt it brought Londoners closer, people from different communities sharing the moment together. Lot of positive memories made. Its up to the government and Olympic organizers to keep the legacy going. More could be done on this area.

The Olympics got me back into exercising and I still do. Wish we’d featured Parkrun not the NHS. Next time we host something global our global legacy should be a Parkrun planted in every competing country.

 it is sad that in Barnet, a large borough and where we live we do not have a.sports hall within approximately one hours travelling distance apart from a very expensive private one. Leisure centres yes, with gyms because they make money but we would like the opportunity to play racquet sports all year long irrespective of the weather. A new leisure centre is being built locally but no sports hall. In the neighbouring borough Enfield, also a large borough,  they have several strategically placed for all to enjoy? Guess I will just have to move........

As far as sporting events go I have little interest in watching others, would rather be ‘doing’ and in London every event is so crowded it takes any pleasure out of attending. If I was young and tall it might be a different story but everywhere is so overcrowded, tubes are like cattle trains, roads congested and smelly there is no pleasure in London nowadays and the amount of building and overcrowding in the suburbs is ruining any vestige of an enjoyable life. Surely one should be considering new towns rather than ruining  and further what we already have.

Bring outdoor table tennis to Bromley. The one in Kelsey Park is just awful. Condition of basketball court next to Churchill Theatre is beyond bad. If you want to integrate with Central/Eastern Europeans build a volleyball court. If you won’t invest in sport younglings will spend what they do the best - smoking weed. 

It is by far more important for good health to be able to

a) sleep in peace and quiet (stopping this '24 hour - London never sleeps' madness);
b) breathe good air (only possible by removing large amounts of building lorries, diesel vans and scooters from particularly B roads altogether)
c) access green spaces that are free from high-rise buildings and traffic
d) stop the ever increasing, entirely unsustainable population growth

I think the big sporting events are good for those who like and/or take part in sport of a high quality; I think they can be good for the image of the city as a diverse and exciting place to be.  But they are not for everyone - I did not even watch the Olympics on tv! I was once a really enthusiastic watcher of Olympics/Wimbldon/cricket/rugby when at school. Now these have been ruined for me by the money and drug issues, and the need to be absolutely incredible at the sport or 'don't bother' attitude.  I loathe football and the hype that surrounds it.  I really wish that there were some events for those of more modest ability, events where mixed ages could take part, and activities with a lighter atmosphere.  I used to go to an office gym 3 x a week, swimming 3 x week, yoga 1x week, pilates 1 x week, and walked one way to work each day (45 minutes) but I did all those at my own level, to maintain a level of fitness that was probably much lower than the best.  Now that I am freelancer working alone at home, having had parent caring responsibilities i take part in virtually nothing.  I see nothing around that has the element of fun without cost that I look for. I do not see welcoming groups I see military fit clubs or football for young men.  I most certainly do not wish to be in a room or on the pitch with body fit lycra wearing althletes. I am also limited by torn cartilage issues. Too much attention and money seems to me to be directed to the really fit, to those who take sport very seriously.  Please leave some room for us of more modest ambitions who just want to keep mobile and take part in something. I really would like to see some imaginative events in the parks and on the commons where it is necessary to include teams of mixed ability and age together in a team in order to take part. No lycra, no leggings.  No whooping.

I personally do not want to go to sports, do not want to watch sports  but I love playing sports and haven’t got older I am finding it very difficult to find any facilities where I can play competitive sports suitable for my age group. They offer me tai chi, movement to music, swimming, that is not what I want I enjoy running about  maybe with a racket on a sports court Playing games I can win. I liked the competitiveness of it and I enjoy winning, I really feel they want to put me out to grass with gentle exercise, yuck, so boring.

I personally did not find the Olympics inspiring regarding my own fitness or sporting activity.  Rather the opposite, to be honest.  While I am happy we hosted (although Paris lost out) I would be surprised if London made much money out of it given the overall cost of building the new venues and the amount wasted simultaneously on some other vanity projects (e.g. the garden bridge).

Regrettably, the Olympics also had the side effect of impacting the National budget which saw a number of cuts to Arts subsidies.  This had a negative impact on several of my friends' ability to earn a living in their chosen field.  There has also been an upswing in the number of unpaid performance jobs as the Olympic opening performers and ushers were viewed as community volunteers rather than skilled labour (even though many were trained professionals).  This visible breach of minimum wage legislation is still having a negative impact on the Arts industry, and squeezing out ethnic and socio-economic diversity as a result.

I think more could and should be done to support the growth of accessible youth sport initiatives in London as this offers a positive, healthy focus for young people who may struggle to access expensive private training clubs or equipment. 

I think we should also look at taking better care of our existing green spaces and outdoor facilities (e.g. football pitches, tennis courts, common gym equipment), to ensure they are well-kept, safe places for everyone to use and enjoy.  This may mean employing more caretakers, grounds people and first-aiders, investing in better lighting, CCTV, and permanently staffed public toilet and shower facilities so people using pitches and equipment can wash etc. and there is someone on-site at all times in the event of a problem.

Surprised, I agree with most of the previous postings. London gets 'clogged up' enough already. More events may encourage overseas visitors but locals often feel discouraged to attend.

the olympics was costly, with no real benefit to londoners The ride london should be banned because it encorages the lycla lot to turn out en masse every day to practice, this breeds resentment in drivers. When rugby was amateur Twickers was an incoveinence but only about six times a year. Now it is proffesional. focued on profit, dozens of matches plus concerts(because they have to make profit) You can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Pleas be wary of "good intentions"

They are good for the City generally but I have no interest in team sports, instead I walk and swim regularly.

They have had zero impact on my life (ever) beyond being something to be endured or avoided - and I used to be very active.  Why does any city hold these? Who is profiting? What do they think will be the outcomes? I'm guessing this is about money in the pocket of a few. Certainly not the health and wellbeing of the many.

There are plenty of opportunities for people to take part in sport in London we have lots of parks and green spaces you can hire bikes join a local excercise /sport clubs it is up to the individual. Personally I have no interest in sport but I enjoy going to parks/nature reserves and walking the dog. Olympics/cycling events are of no interest to me and would not encourage me to take part.

Yes, I think that it is important for London as a major world city to host these events. The Olympics demonstrated how such events can bring an often divided community together. There are also the inevitable economic benefits. I wouldn’t say that they inspire me to take on more sports but they do encourage me to go out and see more, less significant, live sport.

I think by far the most inspiring event I have been to is park run, its accesible and encourages community involvement. Using this model for other sports would be really beneficial, and bring some focus back to the local community instead of just large events in central London. 

I'm "inspired" to do physical activity when I see a car-free cycle route, a great local swimming facility and a team sport or exercise class promoted in the local sports centre.

The Olympics had a cost per head far in excess of the benefit - money is better spent on providing facilites and promoting them well to encourage participation. 

I am a big supporter of large-scale sporting events being hosted in London. I think that, when done well, sport has the power to bring normally unconnected people together. I saw that first-hand with the volunteers and spectators involved with the Olympics but I also think that it happens on a smaller scale with single-sport events. 

the only good I can see is the money made by local people from these events. I am extremely active but never do sports and have no interest in them

Ever since I was a little boy I dreamt of going to the Olympics and in 2012 tghey landed on my door step. I was worried they wouldn't live up to expectations but they actually far esceeded it. I have never been anywhere in the world where a whole city was buzzing with sheer enjoyment for so long. For two weeks, London realluy did seem like the centre of the universe. I've been to a fair few great athletics events in the Olympic stadium and swum in the Olympic pool. But back to the question. I am not sure I have been inspired by sporting events to take up activity/exercise. However, once I have started I have been inspired to improve my game. Watching swimming, particularly Adam Peaty's breastroke, has enabled me to improve my stroke. Watching the Tour De France and other cycling events has enabled me to understand that I can recover to continue my ride after that big hill. Like some other respondents, I did the Prudential Ride on Sunday - ok it rained but what a privilege to ride round the iconic streets of London car free. I could go on but to answer your three questions: yes, yes and yes. Keep sport coming to London.

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.