Olympic Games 'failed to inspire'

8:02am Thursday 10th January 2013 in Bexley © Press Association

Olympic Games 'failed to inspire' Olympic Games 'failed to inspire'

THE Olympic Games inspired fewer than one in five people to take part in more sport, according to a new poll.

The survey also found that just 16 per cent of women and 10 per cent of those aged over 55 were inspired to participate in more sporting activities by London 2012.

More than half of the British public (56 per cent) feel there is too much media coverage of football and not enough of other sports, while only 35 per cent have noticed an increase in non-football sports stories since the Games finished.

The survey of more than 1,000 people was conducted by ComRes for the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC Radio 5 live.

Have you taken up more sport since the Olympics? Have your say below.

Comments(18)

joertmclark says...
8:25am Thu 10 Jan 13

One reason is because all of the media is obsessed with football. Youngsters are then brainwashed to eat, drink and sleep football.

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GSAndy says...
8:56am Thu 10 Jan 13

This hardly a surprise. The Olympics are no different to any other sporting event. For a few weeks afterwards everyone is playing tennis or cricket or whatever super sport is on prime time TV but the novelty soon fades and its back to the sofa.

After the Olympics the roads were full of brand new expensive racing cycles pedalled by middle aged men in multi-coloured kit. By this summer 99% of the bikes will be rusting at the back of garages.

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SimplyBen says...
9:04am Thu 10 Jan 13

Britain has developed into a nation of lardies... are we surprised that few people took anything up? Why waste time out in the cold when we can be sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle and thinking we are completely different to his subjects when ususally, they aren't.

It's our children I fear for. Far too often do I see an obese person dragging along a 'mini me' behind them. Children should be playing outside, with other children, getting healthy whilst building relationships and learning life skills. Sitting indoors playing the PS3 or Xbox whilst stuffing their little fat faces with more Wotsits is going to do nothing for them.

Put more money into sports facilities for everybody, don't give me the whole 'austerity' line, it's money you will save on bariatric ambulances and tank sized wheelchairs in the future.

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Polly Staight says...
9:09am Thu 10 Jan 13

I dunno, people used to be very fit...

...They used to work in the fields or factories all day, they used to eat much less than today...

And they used to die at much younger ages.

Only saying!

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Erith chap says...
9:40am Thu 10 Jan 13

SimplyBen wrote:
Britain has developed into a nation of lardies... are we surprised that few people took anything up? Why waste time out in the cold when we can be sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle and thinking we are completely different to his subjects when ususally, they aren't. It's our children I fear for. Far too often do I see an obese person dragging along a 'mini me' behind them. Children should be playing outside, with other children, getting healthy whilst building relationships and learning life skills. Sitting indoors playing the PS3 or Xbox whilst stuffing their little fat faces with more Wotsits is going to do nothing for them. Put more money into sports facilities for everybody, don't give me the whole 'austerity' line, it's money you will save on bariatric ambulances and tank sized wheelchairs in the future.
You're quick to demonise video games, you sound like you're from the 1950's, and maybe there's a lot of media coverage of football because it has a large following.

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Hk says...
10:54am Thu 10 Jan 13

Just because we enjoyed watching the Olympics doesnt mean we are all going to go out and start taking up athletics, swimming, cycling etc. We watch because we enjoy watching and have admiration for the people that are taking part.

Get over it!

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SimplyBen says...
11:22am Thu 10 Jan 13

I'm actually in my twenties, so am of the video game generation. 1950's was before my time :D

I played video games (and sadly still do) and it didnt make me unfit or unhealthy. It's because I, and my parents, understood the power of moderate use, as i will impose when my boys are at that age when they want to be Player 2. (Plus i was happier outside)

There are always going to be those who aren't inspired to do activity, but my issue is the lack of availability of the facilities for those who DO wish to partake.

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Gypo.Joe says...
11:23am Thu 10 Jan 13

Well I've been inspired to watch lots of the ladies events. I like the sprinters, the hurdles, the synchronized swimming. It's must see viewing.

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Erith chap says...
11:32am Thu 10 Jan 13

Fair point sir.

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Gypo.Joe says...
6:19pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Don't mention the bomb bay doors, it seems that's a no no Erith ccccccchap.

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Tip-Top says...
8:51am Tue 15 Jan 13

I enjoy watching Big Brother………….
so I installed tiny camera’s in all your houses

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Gypo.Joe says...
11:12am Tue 15 Jan 13

Well TT I hope you never watched me as I was going through the card wiv ya missus. ;)

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Tip-Top says...
11:35am Tue 15 Jan 13

No probem tiny Joe....may I compliment you on your stamina and endurance to finish the job!

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Gypo.Joe says...
11:48am Tue 15 Jan 13

Thank you TT for the compliment. I hope you noticed how I played the clitar with a small plectrum. It's an art form.

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Tip-Top says...
11:56am Tue 15 Jan 13

I can only imagine it takes hours of practice
;o)

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marc8888 says...
1:42pm Tue 15 Jan 13

GSAndy - modern bikes don't rust. The only steel bit is the chain and that's normally oiled anyway. All the rest is aluminium alloy or even carbon fibre composite.

Anyway.... if these Olympics don't inspire people, then nothing will.

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marc8888 says...
1:44pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Oh yes and fully agree with SimplyBen.

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nearly right all the time says...
5:36pm Tue 15 Jan 13

£9.3 Billion spent so Lord Coe can be head of I.O.C in 5yrs time!

Dont forget most of the Medal winners
are Public School `oiks

They moan when they are not given Kinghthoods, as if they havent "cash in"enough.
I always thought taking part was the thing!

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