[SaintSoldier]

I personally think it will in the short term, but not in the long term.

My rowing club has received over 80 inquiries about the "Learn to Row" course since the start of the Olympics (whereas normally we get about 8 per month).
However, out of 10 who were supposed to turn up for their first session last week, only 3 did. So the commitment really isn't there.

What do you think?

[TimHuak]

You better hope so. 22% of the population are obese.

I feel like it will do some good for sport but for the majority the hype will have disappeared within a few months.

[Connhk]

(Original post by SaintSoldier)
I personally think it will in the short term, but not in the long term.

My rowing club has received over 80 inquiries about the "Learn to Row" course since the start of the Olympics (whereas normally we get about 8 per month).
However, out of 10 who were supposed to turn up for their first session last week, only 3 did. So the commitment really isn't there.

What do you think?

Studies have shown this to be the effect of the Olympics (esp. in the host nation) sort of like NY's resolutions... Honestly the effect on world class athletics won't be seen for several (at least 4-5) years; but on the obesity rate, I'd hope we'd see a percentage point decrease.

[Fallen]

No.
They happen every 4 years. As far as I know nothing every changed in the host nation. It is just propaganda and people trying to justify the expense of the whole thing.

Not least because unless you are living in London (or a select few other locations), you are unlikely to have been impacted any more by the Olympics this year as in 2008, 2004, 2000, etc.

[IFondledAGibbon]

Yes. For a week or so.

[Dux_Helvetica]

Of course it won't. It'll have all blown over in a few months time and everyone will revert back to their old habits and go back to being inactive and normal.

[Drewski]

Most people, no. But for some it'll stick and they'll be changed. If we were going for universal change we'd be better just to introduce martial law.

[PGtips]

I think it will definitely help us find more talented athletes, if more people take up sport.

[Marsha2112]

I don't think so - to me the Olympics advocates winning and pushing the human body to the limit, not taking part. Whenever someone doesn't get a medal it's all "oh, such a shame" forgetting that they're still amazing to have gotten that far. It might encourage people who are already good at sport to take it to the next level, but it won't get your average overweight couch potato off the sofa and into the park. Which is a shame - arguably it would be better to get a large number of people enjoying and participating in sport, than fund a few of the fittest people training 6 hours a day and getting gold.

[AspiringGenius]

It would be good, seeing as our country is so fat, but I fear that it will be short term and in ten years or so, we would barely have noticed it.

Although the Olympics have inspired me to pick up sport more than 12 years of compulsory PE. I'm not sure if thats because it's in London, I haven't seriously watched the olympics before

[Christop]

Well, I kind of want to do archery now, and practice more at swimming.

[RobertWhite]

I think it will. Let's not be pessimistic, it may work out in the long-term!

I used to do gymnastics and I plan to go back to it now at university

[TheCurlyHairedDude]

I already work out and exersize. Everyone SHOULD at least twice a week, makes me laugh these people who are unhealthy, exersize changes you mentally and pohysically!

All the olympics did for me was motivate me to go even harder!

[Four Queue]

Nope, a week later it will all be forgotten about and the football obsession begins all over again.

[AdamHarriis]

I hope it does to be honest!

It's already got me out training harder and more often than I have been so I hope Olympic fever is just as contagious to other people
I've already noticed a lot more people out cycling and running when I've been out running. I've never really taken my running competitively in the past (more just a hobby) but once I get to Uni I definitely will!!

Plus they were saying that a lot more people have taken MORE interest in these Olympics as opposed to those in the past, simply because it's on our home ground.

[Spontogical]

(Original post by TheCurlyHairedDude)
I already work out and exersize. Everyone SHOULD at least twice a week, makes me laugh these people who are unhealthy, exersize changes you mentally and pohysically!

All the olympics did for me was motivate me to go even harder!

This indeed!

50% overweight, 22-25% Obese..things need changing. Well.. we can't force them to chance unless they want to; which unfortunately most don't.. or aren't willing to put in anything from 5 minutes > 30 minutes a day.

Make that three times minimum

[nexttime]

(Original post by SaintSoldier)
However, out of 10 who were supposed to turn up for their first session last week, only 3 did. So the commitment really isn't there.

That's hardly surprising or representative of anything. That's just life!

But still, that is 3 taster sessions you wouldn't otherwise have had. All it takes is 1 find and you could have yourself an olympian.

Cycling has to be the biggest winner in terms of publicity, and i can see that having a lasting impact on everyday britons. Even if its just a few extra people going on a casual cycle ride every now and then.

[MagicNMedicine]

The main effect will be on kids really, if it gets kids to try different sports because they've seen them on the TV then most of them will try it and give up but the ones that have talent will probably keep with it and that's where we might get some more talent coming through the system.

I think it might have raised the profile of some sports from an audience point of view even if we remain a nation of coach potatoes, I expect viewing figures for cycling in future to go up and probably track and field events as well, which will boost the finances of those sports.

[laura1234]

Everyone is all hyped up at the moment but as soon as the olympics are over it will die down. Things like this always do.

[AdamHarriis]

(Original post by laura1234)
Everyone is all hyped up at the moment but as soon as the olympics are over it will die down. Things like this always do.

I think you're right there. But the people that will lose interest is those that don't have the commitment and drive, and the ones that do might even make it to the Olympics, someday