They took to the phones to encourage members of the public to take part in a sport at a local club on August 18 and 19, the week after the Olympic Games concludes.

The initiative is designed to capitalise on the interest created in a range of sports by this summer's Olympic and Paralympics.

Join in enjoys support from London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe and is funded by the Government.

"We are really happy to support the Join in project, it is a great idea that means that thousands of people across the United Kingdom can turn up and take part in local sports just after the Olympic Games finishes," said Coe.

"Millions will be inspired by what they witness over the summer and I hope this creates opportunities in every community for people to join in their local sports clubs."

Sean Kerly, the 1988 Olympic hockey gold medallist, is among those backing the Join In campaign

Among those taking part today along with Kerly and Thompson were Gail Emms, a 2004 badminton silver medallist, 4x400 metres relay silver medallist Iwan Thomas and Fatima Whitbread, who claimed silver and bronze medals in the javelin.

"Had we had something like this in 1988 it would have made a huge difference," Kerly told insidethegames.

"We used to play hockey with two men and a dog watching, and the first match after the gold medal... there were 2,000 people to watch, I had never seen this in my life as a domestic player.

"By Christmas it was back down to two men and a dog.

"There is going to be a lot of publicity around the Games and people will want to go and try what they have seen on the telly.

"That is what this is all about – clubs being ready for lots of youngsters.

"Even now at 52 I like to go and try new things!"

Former badminton star Emms is also keen to take up a new sport, and has been trying her hand at rowing.

After selling yours truly on taking up volleyball once the Games are over, she told insidethegames: "I just think it is really important.

Former badminton star and Athens 2004 silver medallist Gail Emms believes the campaign is "really important"

"I am so excited about 2012... we are going to ring up people, get them to join up and make them feel a bit more connected.

"People do not realise they can get involved themselves."

Another athlete taking part in the initiative but who was not in London today for the telethon was Leeds-born boxer Nicola Adams, who has been taking time out ahead of this summer's Olympics to encourage people in Yorkshire to take up sport during London 2012.

Adams travelled to Bradford to honour her coach Alwyn Belcher at Huggy's Amateur Boxing Club.

Belcher has supported Adams' progress since the age of 15, and has in the past worked with Prince Naseem Hamed and Amir Khan.

"It's great to be able to support the Join in Local Sport project in this way," said the 51kg boxer.

"Whether it's boxing or any other sport the Join in weekend on the 18 and 19 of August is a great opportunity to get down your local club and try something new.

"Volunteers and coaches like Alwyn do amazing work and it's right that he is being recognised in this way – because of him I am going to the Olympics."

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