As the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games are about to begin in Beijing, the sporting ambitions of our nation’s young people will be rising to the surface. And with the next games coming to London, increasing sporting opportunities for all, and creating an Olympic legacy for all of Britain, are key to Labour's plans for success in 2012.

The Labour Government and the Labour London Mayor led a cross party coalition to secure the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics for Britain. Labour recognised that the Games represented a fantastic opportunity for our country – both in terms of creating sporting opportunity and delivering life-changing regeneration in one of Britain’s most deprived areas.

Only last month, the announcement of Labour’s Swimming Challenge Fund presented local authorities with the opportunity to offer free access to swimming pools for under 16s and over 60s, as the first step in our goal of delivering free swimming for all by 2012. Swimming is one of the country’s most popular participation sports, and this new initiative will not only encourage and empower more people to get involved in sport, but will also help the nation get fitter and healthier. And Labour has also announced radical plans to create a world class community sports structure by transforming the Government’s approach to funding community sport to deliver a substantial increase in participation, alongside our wider Legacy Action Plan to make the UK a world leading sporting nation and inspire a generation of young people, alongside regenerating the heart of East London and, in the Olympic village, showcasing a blueprint for sustainable living.

London 2012 means something for everyone in Britain – those who have the chance to participate, those who watch, and most importantly all those who benefit from the Olympic legacy which Labour is setting out to deliver.

Tell us why you’re proud to host the Olympics.