Drowning in the deep end

The Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell, announced a new £140 million fund to boost sport and fitness through free swimming for over 60s last week as the centrepiece of the Government’s plan to ensure a lasting sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

If achieved, swimming throughout 1500 pools will be freely available to 10 million people. It is interesting to note that Wales already offers such a service for young people and over-65s. One cynical blogger noted, “we are yet to see if the Welsh have now become the fitter nation.”

It is interesting to see how different newspapers responded to what should be seen as a positive story and to try and assess the value of the Government’s announcement.

The Independent describe it as “one of those practical initiatives that pleases because of its simplicity.”

The Times describe it as a policy “drawn up on the back of a cereal box.”

There is a common theme however, though that does runs through most articles: this announcement is from a Government that has allowed building developers to build over school playing fields (having promised to stop this practice) and from a Government responsible for the closure of 10 per cent of swimming pools a year. Other questions raised query the Government’s ability to fund the initiative, and whether swimming pools face becoming over-crowded.

Grand announcements are always easy to broadcast and the Government has been under pressure to show signs of an Olympic legacy post 2012.

What this announcement highlighted is the lack of adequate swimming facilities currently available to people. Large parts of the country have below average swimming facilities available while Manchester, having hosted the Commonwealth Games, boasts top class swimming facilities.

On the surface this does seem like a decent proposal, but one wonders if the Government has dived into the deep end on this having not given it enough thought.

- Greg