This summer marks the fifth anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and London is once again hosting another major sports event- both the World Athletics Championship and the Paraathletics Championship.
One of the main aims of the 2012 London Olympics was to increase the level of sports participation in Britain. With around 90 per cent of the population watching at least 15 minutes of coverage, the Games certainly managed to engage the country with sport. But did these viewing figures translate into an increase in sports participation? Between 2011 and 2012, the number of people engaged in sports at least once a week increased from 15.1 million to 15.9 million- a jump that can be attributed to the influence of the Olympics. Levels have fluctuated since then, however in 2016 the number remained steady at 15.9 million, suggesting an overall increase in levels of physical activity in Britain since 2012.
The impact of the Olympic Games on children in particular was considerable. Athletes such as Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah garnered widespread fame as a result of their success at the Games, and this fame had a widespread, positive impact- in one study, over 50% of boys and girls between 8 and 12 said that the Olympics had encouraged them to take part in more sports; another showed that the athletes themselves have become significant role models for both children and adults alike, replacing football players and musicians in the process.
Following the Olympics, in 2014 the government introduced a new school curriculum, which included an increased focus on physical activity, and on competitive sports in particular. There are many, however, who argue that the Olympics may have failed to have an impact on physical education in schools in a meaningful way. There has been no widespread increase in funding, and as such many schools lack the facilities to offer a wide range of sports. Physical Education is mandatory up to the age of 16, with the Department of Education recommending that all should take part in at least 2 hours of PE per week. There are some who criticise this policy, arguing that for children who don’t naturally take to sports, PE can be stressful and disheartening- especially when the focus is on the kind of competitive sports the government was keen to promote.
Despite a lack of consensus around the physical education policy, the benefits of sports are undeniable and should be emphasised by schools and parents alike. For many, being part of an extra-curricular sports team is an opportunity to make friends, get fit and let off steam after school and on weekends. Team sports can also help children develop leadership and communication skills that can then be translated into the classroom.
Research also shows that physical activity can help boost academic achievement levels- children who take part in regular exercise have been seen to do better at 11, 13 and 16 years old. A study by Dundee University in 2013 argued that 60 minutes of exercise a day could improve a child’s performance by an entire grade (for example, from a B to an A). This is because sports help to boost brain function, which helps with problem solving. These studies suggest that physical activity both before school and at lunch time, could be particularly beneficial as it would help increase brain function in time for the benefits to be felt in the classroom. This activity does not have to be complex- walking to school or playing an active game in the playground will have an effect!
Sadly, there is a gender gap in regards to sports participation, with only 12% of teenage girls reaching the recommended weekly levels compared to 24% of boys. This can be linked to increased levels of self-consciousness, but also a lack of female role models and the prioritisation of ‘male’ sports such as football and rugby in British culture. This is why the increased public presence female athletes such as Jessica Ennis-Hill, Laura Kenny and Christine Ohuruogu are so important, and why the success of female teams should be highlighted, such as the women’s hockey team who won gold at the Rio Olympics.
Sports should not overshadow academic education, however in schools with both shrinking budgets and staff levels, and with the ever-increasing focus on tests, physical activity is at risk of becoming marginalised. The success of British athletes and the popularity of worldwide sporting events should be used as a way to encourage children to take part in sports, and serve as an example of the myriad benefits of physical education.
The IAAF World Championships are held from the 4-13th August at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
References
Ami Sedghi, ‘Olympic legacy failure,’ The Guardian, 5 July 2015
https://www.sportengland.org/research/active-lives-survey/from-active-people-to-active-lives/
‘Olympic legacy: How can we encourage kids into sport?’ BBC News, 8 August 2012
Donna Bowater, ‘Keep the flame alive,’ The Telegraph, 3 September 2012
‘Exercise boosts academic performance,’ BBC News, 22 October 2013
Matthew Jenkin, ‘Fit for learning,’ The Guardian, 3 September 2015
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