UK announces free sport for all

In the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced a €176 million government initiative to subsidise free sporting activities for UK citizens to pull them out of their increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

A number of measures were presented on 6 June 2008 as part of Downing Street’s London 2012 Olympic Legacy Action Plan. Its aim is to get two million more people active by 2012 through a new strategy set out by the UK sports development agency, Sport England. 

Part of the funding will go to local authorities in exchange for their opening some 1,600 public swimming pools free of charge. Initially, the scheme would cover people aged under 16 and over 60, but “the idea is universal free swimming for 2012,” said Andy Burnham, the secretary of state for culture, media and sports. 

Other initiatives in the action plan include an incentive scheme called ‘Fit for the Future’ designed for young people aged 16-22. The scheme, to be launched in partnership with the fitness industry, aims to subsidise young peoples’ gym and fitness club memberships. 

The new strategy is to be accompanied by a wider governmental plan to invest in sports by building more partnerships and “working with the local Councils” in the coming years, said Burnham. 

The strategy, to be published in full today (10 June), follows a recent survey indicating that more than half of the population does not take part in any moderate-intensity sport or active recreation. 

It is also in line with Gordon Brown’s ambition to use the hosting of the 2012 Olympics “as a catalyst for lasting change in our country,” sparking renewed passion for sport in the UK. 

A recent Eurobarometer survey on Europeans’ physical-activity habits revealed that only 15% are active in sports and that the average EU citizen spends more than six hours per day seated. 

The EU is also seeking to boost overall participation in sports and physical activity to enhance public health and fight the growing obesity problem through its White Paper on Sport.

Read more with Euractiv

Euro cup kicks off amid EU-FIFA dispute

Just before Euro 2008 kicks off tomorrow (7 June), the European Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering met with FIFA and UEFA presidents Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini in a failed attempt to convince the world football governing body not to introduce national quotas on players - a move judged contrary to Community law.