International Inspiration is the official international legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a vision of reaching 12 million children in 20 countries through the power of sport.

"I have really enjoyed meeting so many young people and seeing the tremendous work that International Inspiration is doing in Malaysia," said Woods, who won a total of 12 Paralympic swimming medals during his glittering career.

"It is particularly exciting for me to understand how the programme is opening doors for children with a disability in Malaysia and guiding teachers and coaches in making PE lessons more accessible and inclusive for all children."

Woods spent four days in Malaysia touring a number of initiatives and visiting a range of projects designed to inspire young people to 'choose sport' as part of the pledge made by London 2012 Sebastian Coe in 2005, when the UK capital won the right to host the Games.

Woods was also present as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the UK and Malaysia to celebrate the collaboration and to officially launch the programme in the country.

At the signing ceremony held at the Malaysia Olympic Council, a mini sports festival was hosted by 30 young Sports Leaders from 15 schools, while five different sports were demonstrated, including the Paralympic sport of Boccia.


Coe said: "I was lucky enough to see for myself the difference International Inspiration is making to children and young people's lives when I went to India last year to see some projects.

"I'm thrilled that Marc Woods has had the same opportunity in Malaysia.

"Our vision is to reach young people around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games, and International Inspiration is helping us achieve this."

In Malaysia, International Inspiration is working in partnership with the Ministry of Education on curriculum transformation and international school partnerships.

Ten schools in Malaysia have been linked with ten schools in north-west England and have already enjoyed reciprocal visits to exchange ideas and experiences in teaching and learning through sport.

International Inspiration is also incorporating a public campaign of activity to raise awareness of the importance of sport and issues of inclusivity, working closely with Malaysia's National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee to strengthen grassroots sport, in particular disability sport, and aims to ensure equal access to high quality PE and sport.

In addition to meeting young people involved in International Inspiration and visiting schools to see the work of the programme first-hand, Woods talked about the inspirational power of sport and how it can inspire people to be the best they can be.

International Inspiration is a ground-breaking initiative – representing the first time in the history of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games that an international legacy on this scale has been conceived and implemented.

To date it has reached almost seven million children in 15 countries across the world.

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