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Hoy and Coe look ahead

14th August 2012

Sir Chris Hoy and Lord Coe have urged the Government to capitalise on the success of the London Olympics by investing in sport at grass-roots level.
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Team GB's return of 65 medals in London - 29 of them gold - represented this country's best performance at the Olympics since 1908 and triggered a wave of patriotic fervour.
"Look at the positive feeling we are getting. We must keep this going." Sir Chris Hoy

With participation levels in a range of sports expected to spike in the coming months, pressure is being applied to ensure the next generation of stars are given every opportunity to reach their potential.

Hoy, whose two cycling golds in London were his fifth and sixth at Olympic level, told the Daily Express: "This success has shown the politicians and people in power at how the country is responding to these Games.

"Look at the positive feeling we are getting. We must keep this going. Put money into school sport, put money at the grass-roots level, give kids the chance to get involved in the sport.

"If you do that, you are going to bring this next generation through and it's going to make them fitter, healthier and improve social issues.
"As a result of all that you get the odd medal that pops out the top end, too. It's a win-win situation."
Prime Minister David Cameron has already responded to Britain's success by stating that there will be no cuts to funding for Olympic sports before 2016 Games in Rio.

UK Sport will receive £125 million annually for the next four years to maintain funding at the same level as the run-up to London.
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe maintains, however, that "grown-up conversations" are still required over how best to take Britain on to further success in the future.

Coe told the Daily Telegraph: "I was asked by the Prime Minister if I would play my part about thinking alongside others about how we can maximise and leverage every ounce from the Games.

"I am very happy to play my part. We need some grown-up conversations about how we deliver these things, and I am pleased the PM realises this.
"Those great British moments and great international moments will do more than anything else to inspire young people to take up sport.

"You have to have the right structure in place to deal with that demand, but everything starts from emulation and aspiration. Those Team GB athletes will be the best drivers of participation that we have had in this country in the last 20 years.

"The challenge now for national governing bodies, and everyone who is interested in promoting sport, is converting every one of those medals into more people kids playing sport, and the ability of clubs at community level to absorb that demand."

Source: www. skysports.com

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