Decline in some sports across the East Midlands

It’s been 10 years since London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games but sport participation across seven sports has dropped by over 100,000 people in the East Midlands.

It is the 10th anniversary of Britain winning the Games for the first time since 1948. It was believed that the event would inspire people to transform their lives and invest in elite sport.

However, Sports England has revealed that some sport participation is down even after Britain hosted the £9 billion event.

Statistics show that since 2005 when we won the Olympics, sport participation in seven different activities has decreased by over 100,000 in the region.

Badminton, bowls, equestrian, football, swimming, table tennis and tennis have all seen a decline in popularity in the area.

The only four sports to have seen an increase in the people getting involved in the East Midlands are athletics, cricket, cycling and netball.

Difference in participation since 2005:

Badminton: -8,900

Bowls: -12,800

Equestrian: -400

Football: -9,000

Swimming: -75,200

Table Tennis: -900

Tennis: -2,700