A Tale of Two Sporting Cities, a project created by GCU’s widening participation and community engagement initiative the Caledonian Club, has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme.

The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The project, developed by the Glasgow and London branches of the Caledonian Club, gives young people in Glasgow - host city for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 - and London the chance to visit sports venues and take part in taster sessions with UK athletes throughout the coming academic year.

Former Olympic athletes have been involved in the project behind the scenes acting as advisors, including former British Taekwondo champion and sports commentator John Cullen.

Year 6 pupils from St Matthias School in Tower Hamlets and Primary 7 pupils from St Bartholomew’s Primary in Castlemilk were selected to take part in the project, supported by Tower Hamlets Education Authority and Glasgow City Council.

A Tale of Two Sporting Cities was launched at GCU London, Glasgow Caledonian’s university campus which opened in 2010. HRH Princess Anne attended the day (pictured meeting pupils). 

Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “The Inspire programme is ensuring the legacy  of the 2012 Games starts now as projects like A Tale of Two Sporting Cities are enabling people in London and Glasgow to make positive life changes.”

The project will continue until the end of the 2012 term and will culminate in an exhibition and presentation to representatives of the university, members of the Olympic Park Legacy Committee, parents and other invited guests.