Inspiring a Generation: an Examination of Stakeholder Relations in the Context of London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Educational Programmes

Rationale/Purpose: The paper seeks to consider the intersection of discourses around the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy aim to inspire a generation. Design/methodology/approach: This paper explores how the London 2012 educational legacy programmes, such as the Get Set programme, affected relations between stakeholders in the Olympic and Paralympic movement and the UK sport and education sectors. Utilising a stakeholder relations perspective, this paper analyses dialogue from a UK parliament based Inquiry through a critical discourse analysis. Findings: From the analysis discourses emerged around the purpose of the educational programmes and London 2012 as a missed opportunity. Relating to the stakeholder relations perspective the findings highlighted tension between competitive sport based and values based education discourse. Furthermore, opportunities and tension created from fragmented accountability between organizing committee and the host city. Practical Implications: This paper speaks to stakeholders connected to sport mega event organizing committees and/or those who have a stake in young people, sport and education. The findings encourage stakeholders to reflect on potential fragmented accountability and the purpose of sport based educational programmes. Research Contribution: The paper contributes to research theoretically as it bridges debate around stakeholder relations from sport mega event and domestic sport policy based literature