Olympic triumphs inspire Kirklees

London 2012 was a tournament to remember – but what legacy will the Games leave behind?

According to Kirklees Active Leisure, 2012 has been an amazing year for British sport.

The KAL games inspired by the Games in London featured 11 Olympic sports, with more than 1,000 people taking part.

A KAL spokeswoman said: “The 2012 Games has definitely got everyone in the competitive spirit and as we eagerly await the start of the Paralympic Games, we hope that people continue to be inspired by our great athletes and we see an increase in participation.”

Across North Kirklees, sports clubs and leisure centres have been boosted by people wanting to give their favourite Olympic sports a try.

Batley Baths operations manager Lyndsey Kaye said swimming had seen an increase of about 50 per cent of average users – while badminton and table tennis received an 80 per cent boost.

Lyndsey said: “Summer is normally a bit quieter for us as people go away, but this year the number of people coming to us has definitely gone up. I’d say that was down to the Olympics.”

Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield), a member of Ravensthorpe Cycling Club, said he hoped to see a generation inspired by the Games.

He said: “Part of the legacy will be about producing future stars. But if people’s health improves because they have been inspired by the cycling or running or swimming, that will benefit the community.”