The Inspired by Sport exhibition opens here tomorrow and showcases athletes captured by Rankin including Coe, the 1980 and 1984 1500 metres Olympic champion, Sydney 2000 heptathlete winner Denise Lewis, 110m hurdles 1988 Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson (pictured top), 11-times Paralympic wheelchair racing champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and London 2012 hopefuls heptathlete Louise Hazel and sprinter James Ellington.

The photographs look to convey the inspirational power of sport and are featured alongside images – taken by a host of international photographers – of young people around the world whose lives have been enriched by the programme and are inspired by sport.

The exhibition highlights the work of International Inspiration (pictured below), a unique partnership between children's charity UNICEF, the British Council and UK Sport, which looks to realise London 2012's legacy promise to enrich the lives of 12 million children in 20 countries in time for this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Inspired by Sport is celebrating the huge achievements of International Inspiration and captures how sport can be a real change for good," said Coe, who launched the exhibition today.

"I'm very proud that London 2012 is enabling positive change to happen to millions of children and young people around the world.

"I have been lucky enough to have met some of the young people being reached through the programme and to have seen how it is providing them with more opportunities in life."


Each photograph demonstrates how International Inspiration is harnessing the power of inclusive physical education, sport and play to address issues that affect children and young people, such as gender equality, gang violence, lack of educational opportunities, life skills development, HIV AIDS education and intercultural awareness in countries from Azerbaijan to Zambia.

The programme is fulfilling the promise made by Coe on behalf of the London 2012 Bid team in Singapore in 2005 to reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games.

"Having now achieved our original objectives and made such an impact, it's important now for us to focus on continuing and expanding this extraordinary programme as a real legacy from the London 2012 Games," said Sir Keith Mills, the London 2012 deputy chairman and International Inspiration chair.

Lewis also gave her backing: "I have seen first-hand the impact International Inspiration is having on young people lives.

"When I visited India, I saw something truly special that is making a real and lasting difference to children of all abilities, social status and gender.

"Inspired by Sport celebrates a London 2012 legacy we can all be proud of."

Inspired by Sport runs from May 2 to 13 and entry is free to the public.

A video to mark the exhibition, which features Coe, former England football captain David Beckham and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, is available to view here. 

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