London 2012 targets youth

Published July 25, 2010

LONDON, July 24 London 2012 Olympics chief Sebastian Coe said on Friday the event would be unashamedly targeted at getting young people into sport, as London prepares to mark two years to go until the Games begin.

Coe said the Olympics would use new media platforms and angle its ticketing strategy at inspiring a new generation to take a lasting interest in sport.

With five years gone since London was awarded the Olympics and two to go until they get underway on July 27, 2012, Coe said capturing the youth market would be crucial to the Games' success.

“You need the interactivity if you are genuinely delivering on the vision to put young people at the heart of the Games,” the 1500m Olympic gold medal winner in 1980 and 1984 told reporters.

“Our mascots were in a large part created by and for young people, using language, visuals and technology that is far more familiar to them.

“We've reached out to young people not just through sport, but through our cultural programmes. It makes good sense. This is where young people are,” he said.—AFP

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