LONDON 2012: Did it inspire a generation?

This chapter critically assesses the claim that the London 2012 Olympics would ‘inspire a generation’. It reviews the legacy of the event, particularly focusing on national sports participation trends before and after the Games. The chapter finds mixed evidence regarding the ‘demonstration effect’, where elite sports are supposed to inspire grassroots participation. It concludes that, while the Games were a catalyst for enhancing the UK’s elite sport infrastructure, the broader claim of inspiring widespread participation among the general population remains unproven.