Are the Olympics Good for Your Health? Physical Activity, Sports Participation and Health Before, During and After London 2012

Abstract

Evidence on the possibility of using an Olympic and Paralympic Games to improve the physical activity, sports participation and health of populations in host cities and countries is mixed. On one hand, prior to London 2012, no previous Games had achieved this, but unlike London 2012, no previous Games had set out so explicitly to do so. Drawing on work commissioned from the Department of Health, Sport England and the Greater London Authority and Mayor’s Office, Reed considers three questions in relation to both London and the UK. Firstly, what evidence exists that it is possible to improve physical activity, sport participation and health through an Olympic and Paralympic Games. Secondly, what evidence exists that London 2012 had any impact on physical activity, sport participation and health in London and across the UK. Thirdly, and finally, was London 2012’s strategy and approach to improving physical activity, sport participation and health through the Olympic and Paralympic Games effective, or could more have been done?