The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will transform people's lives and revitalise communities throughout the South West. The Games represent the single most significant opportunity in our lifetime to build on the strengths of the region; to develop our business base, involve our communities, drive up sports participation and to inspire our young people to believe in the power of the Olympic ethos, to be the best that they can be.
The South West is fully committed to the London 2012 Organising Committee's vision to:
"Stage an inspirational Games that captures the imagination of young people around the world and leaves a lasting legacy"
We are firmly focused on delivering our part of this objective by ensuring we contribute to the best Olympic and Paralympic sailing events ever held at Weymouth and Portland, against the stunning backdrop of our World Heritage coast. We will ensure that the eyes of the world see the best that the South West has to offer. We will make sure that our athletes compete in the Games with the knowledge that we have done all we can to prepare them for the challenge and to act as flag bearers for the region's hopes and dreams.
Our vision for 2012 is incredibly ambitious and far reaching, extending way beyond the Games themselves, to make sure that we deliver:
"A lasting and discernible community legacy from the London 2012 Games"
This is at the heart of our vision. We want to make sure that the benefits of the London 2012 Games extend well into the future and capture the excitement, passion and power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to change lives. We are not just focused on intangible benefits, but are committed to putting in place real programmes and projects that achieve genuine improvements in the region.
Our vision puts people at its heart. They are at the core of everything that we will do. Our region is characterised by creative, imaginative, innovative and out of the ordinary people. We have a passion for what we do - and a passion for sport and outdoor activity. Unlocking this potential and capturing the imagination of the whole of the region will be critical in achieving our goals.
The road to the London 2012 Games has already started and the journey will not always be easy; there will be critics and cynics, detractors and difficulties. But the prize is worthwhile and worth striving for.
Let us therefore take the opportunity to do what is right and make sure that future generations look back at our efforts, knowing that the whole region played its part in ensuring that the Games were much more than a 4 week event, transforming the lives of real people in real ways.
Photography used by kind permission of Kathryn Pearn, Hartpury College, South Devon College, Arts Council England South West, Animated Exeter
Photographers - Kevin Clifford, Roy Riley, Surf Life Saving GB, Julia Rau and Sue Handford
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