Woodward calls for political unity ahead of 2012 Olympics

Former Rugby Union coach Sir Clive Woodward has called for party political unity ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.

Woodward, who is the British Olympic Association's director of Olympic performance, who won the 2003 Rugby World Cup with England, feels the event in 2012 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encourage sporting participation and this should not be compromised by political point scoring.

He said: "Sport is my life – sport is an important part of many of your lives – and I passionately believe that introduced to the right sport in the right circumstances, everyone in this country can benefit from it as much as I have.

"It is no easy feat delivering a sports legacy from hosting a major event. No previous Olympic host city has managed to achieve anything significantly tangible. But we in sport and the world of politics could ensure that there are policies in place to make sure we seize this unique opportunity.

"All-party support and co-operation was essential in bringing the games to London and we need a similar level of commitment to ensure the sports legacy is not lost. I would like to see all of us in sport and all political parties coming together to ensure that we achieve a step change in active participation in sport.

"In these difficult economic times I think we are fortunate in having something as positive as London 2012 on the horizon. Nothing can lift the nation's spirit like sporting success can – let's ensure we achieve some of the wider benefits too and we can genuinely help to improve the British quality of life."