Sport England and London 2012 work together to ensure games lead to increase in sports participation

Cathy is an accomplished triathlete. She has represented Britain twice at the triathlon world championships and was the first British finisher in the 1998 European Ironman Championships in Germany where she swam 3.8 kilometres, cycled 180 kilometres and then ran a marathon.

Cathy will offer London 2012 a wealth of experience and contacts. Whilst at Sport England she managed several major national governing bodies of sport including the Lawn Tennis Association, British Triathlon and England Netball. Previously, Cathy worked at the Women’s Sports Foundation as National Development Manager.

At LOCOG Cathy will be the main point of contact for external and internal colleagues on sport participation and legacy. Her role will also include working on the plans to make sure that venues built for the Olympics are used by the wider community in the years following the Games.

Speaking about her appointment, Cathy said:

’London 2012 and Sport England are committed to ensuring a sustained increase in sporting participation as a key legacy from hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to help make this happen.’

Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, added:

‘I am very pleased that Cathy has accepted this role with LOCOG. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games can act a once-in-a-lifetime catalyst for increasing participation in sport in this country. The Olympics are not just about winning medals, but also about attracting more people into sport at grass root level. If we can achieve that it will be as good as winning gold medals. Cathy’s expertise and knowledge make her the perfect candidate to help us achieve our aim of getting two million people more active in sport by 2012.’

Debbie Jevans, London 2012 Organising Committee Director of Sport, said:

‘This is a great example of cooperation and partnership between London 2012 and the various sport bodies in the UK, such as Youth Sport Trust, the home nations Sport Councils and the various national governing bodies for sport. Although our primary focus at London 2012 is to put on an inspirational and memorable Games, we are all committed to ensuring that we make the most of this opportunity to encourage greater levels of sport participation and active recreation throughout the UK from now to 2012 and beyond.’

ENDS

Sport England exists to sustain and increase participation in community sport. It is a non-departmental public body and Lottery distributor. Its ambition is to get two million people participating more in sport by 2012. It does this by promoting, advising and investing in community sport.

Sport England has been a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting playing fields since August 1996. Sport England objects to any application that is detrimental to sport, unless alternative provision of at least equivalent value is found elsewhere.

For further information:

Jonathan Weisgard Tel: 020 7273 1822

Jonathan Weisgard@sportengland.org