Source: www.london2012.com

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) today announced that International Inspiration, its international sports legacy programme, has reached 10.8 million young people around the world.

International Inspiration Ambassador David Beckham 460x250
Some of the UK's biggest sports personalities have helped promote the legacy programme

International Inspiration works with local communities and government to use the power of sport to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities around the world, particularly in developing countries.

Delivered through a partnership between UK Sport, UNICEF, British Council and LOCOG, the programme aims to give these young people the skills they need to become positive role models and inspire their peers.

Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: 'I am thrilled to announce that the International Inspiration programme has reached over 10 million children and young people. This is a fantastic achievement and means that more than 15 months out from the London 2012 Games we are well on our way to achieving our vision to reach 12 million children and young people in 20 countries.

'I have been lucky enough to meet some of the young people being reached through International Inspiration and to have seen how the programme is providing them with more opportunities in life. Sport can be a real change for good and I'm very proud that London 2012 is enabling this to happen to millions of young people around the world.'

International Inspiration has already proved a massive success, with the range of achievements as varied as they are widespread. For example, 1.5 million young people and their families in Zambia are involved with awareness-raising projects that encourage children to discuss issues such as HIV and AIDS, while 80,000 children in Bangladesh have been taught survival swimming.

The programme was developed as a result of the commitment made by the London bid team in Singapore in 2005 to 'reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport'.