July 24 - Northamptonshire has launched its strategy to get thousands of people in the county inspired by the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics involved in sport and to help raise its profile.



European gymnastics champion Daniel Keatings helped launch the plan at the Corby East Midlands International Pool.

Chris Mallender, the chairman of the Northamptonshire 2012 steering group, said: "It's through this strategy that we can really build this county's sporting aspirations."

The document has five main aims with the overall result of encouraging the county to benefit from the Olympics.

The strategy is supported by Northamptonshire Sport. Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited, the county council, the National Health Service, as well as all the local authorities.

The aims include ensuring every child and young person is inspired by the Olympics by 2012 by methods including signing up schools to Olympic-based projects and sports events, supporting athletes to perform at an international level and attract international teams and events to the county by ways including funding free training facilities and encouraging adults back into sports clubs as volunteers and coaches.

Other aims to are to significantly increase sports participation levels contributing towards Northamptonshire becoming the fittest county in England by delivering free mass participation events and widening free health checks and attracting business to support the economy by promoting the county to other countries.

The final aim is to raise Northamptonshire's national and international profile through the promotion of its heritage and assets.

The launch coincides with Open Weekend, a UK-wide celebration marking the start of the Olympic countdown, which runs this weekend and offers free sporting activities for everyone.

Mallender said: "It is a real privilege to chair and coordinate Northamptonshire's work on 2012.

"We have six fantastic Olympic training camp facilities and a growing number of fast-improving potential Olympians and Paralympians.

"It is vital we capitalise on the huge opportunities afforded by London 2012 to secure a positive legacy of increased participation in culture and sport by every resident in the county."

Keatings, who is from Great Oakley in Northamptonshire, said: "It's going to mean everything to me to go to the Olympic Games in my home country.

"When I was at the World Championships [at the O2 Arena last October] my head dropped and it was the crowd that spurred me on so I know that the support in London will be amazing."