The 24-year-old four-time Paralympic champion has just returned from visiting International Inspiration projects in Tanzania, where he also helped launch International Inspiration's partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, for whom he is also an ambassador.

As part of his visit, Pistorius witnessed the impact that International Inspiration, which uses PE, sport and play to engage young children of all abilities and backgrounds, is already having in Tanzania.

He also got involved in sporting demonstrations in athletics, women's football and volleyball, which are led by instructors who have benefited from Laureus-supported training programmes.

"Growing up, sport had a huge impact on my life and has helped me become the person that I am now," said Pistorius, the double leg amputee sprinter who is aiming to compete at both the Olympic and Paralympics next year.

"Meeting and speaking to some of the young people who are benefiting from the International Inspiration programme here in Tanzania has just reinforced how much of an impact it is having on their lives.

"It's fantastic to see that the London 2012 Games are really delivering on their promise to inspire young people around the world to choose sport."

In Tanzania, International Inspiration will aim to reach more than two million young people by 2014 with sports based activities, mentoring support and life skills education.


The programme will initially be focused on Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Mwanza and Songea and will work in collaboration with local authorities and communities.

"I am thrilled that Oscar Pistorius has joined International Inspiration as its latest ambassador," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"I know the difference that sport can make to someone's life and was lucky to see for myself the impact that International Inspiration can have on young people.

"We have always stated that we wanted to use the power of the Games to inspire children and young people around the world to choose sport and Oscar's involvement with International Inspiration will help us achieve this – he is a real inspiration to people both in Tanzania and around the world."

As a result of a seven year ban on sporting competitions in schools, which was only recently overturned by the Tanzanian Government, there remains a legacy of poor provision, with many young people still unable to access quality PE and sport in their schools and communities.

International Inspiration will help tackle this by supporting the delivery of a new sports policy to be launched by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete that aims to guarantee young people of all abilities access high-quality PE and sport.

The programme will also use PE and sport to help young people develop key life skills, raise awareness of social issues including HIV/AIDs and malaria, and promote empowerment, with particularly emphasis on girls and disabled young people.

To build a sustainable legacy and ensure that the programme can continue to positively impact children and young people after the final year of the programme in 2014, International Inspiration will train local community teachers, women coaches and young leaders to deliver quality and inclusive sport and PE.

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