• What We Stand For
  • Culture and Sport
    • Sport

Sport and Olympics

Sport is important for health and relaxation, but it’s far too hard to get involved. It can also be very expensive to watch or take part. Liberal Democrats believe everybody should have the choice to take part in sport and that grassroots sport is just as important as big glitzy events.

We would tackle rising obesity levels and low participation rates by targeting funding at those who need it most and securing high quality facilities for all. We will stop public playing fields and tennis courts being sold off and improve access by ensuring facilities are open when people need them.

Liberal Democrats would also act to reverse the trend of young people dropping out of sport when they leave education by strengthening school links with local sports clubs, and giving children the chance to try out a wide range of activities while at school.

Britain has been extremely successful in winning bids to host high-class international sporting events in recent years. Within the next six years the UK will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby League and Union World Cups. We have also submitted a strong bid for the Football World Cup in 2018 which would round off a superb decade of sport.

We must use these events to maximise legacy for the country and capitalise on the opportunity to promote sporting activity. The Government set a target to get 2 million more people playing more sport by the time of the Olympics in 2012 but have so far made little progress. At the same time, they have raided the National Lottery to pay for staging the games and therefore reduced funding for grassroots sport. Liberal Democrats would restore the independence of the Lottery and change the way the Lottery is taxed to generate more money for good causes, including community sport.