The London 2012 Games inspired a nation and, despite being over two and a half years on, the effect is still felt right across the United Kingdom.
Yet the ability of sport to reach beyond the confines of an Olympic Park or a host nation is a powerful one and is celebrated every year on April 6th through the UN’s International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
The day, supported by Team GB and the International Olympic Committee, is an annual celebration that highlights and promotes the power of sport as a catalyst for social change in all corners of the world.
In November last year, Team GB joined forces with martial arts charity Fight for Peace as part of its preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The partnership will look to encourage inspirational exchanges between Olympians, athletes, coaches and young people as Team GB look to make a positive impact on the wider community in Rio.
Fight for Peace combine sports with education and personal development in communities affected by crime and violence in both London and Rio and were visited by Olympic champions Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams shortly after London 2012.
“It was a humbling and inspiring experience to meet the people involved with Fight for Peace and spend time with the kids and hear about how boxing is bringing them hope and helping them to build a better life,” said Joshua.
“Boxing has a proven track record of bringing benefits to people and communities all over the world and this is a great example of how the sport can be used to provide young people with a purpose and a structure that helps them in all aspects of their life."
Today Fight for Peace support over 2,500 young people each year and by the end of 2015 will have trained 91 organisations and helped more than 100,000 young people living in communities affected by gun crime around the world.
"It was a great experience to meet the young people at the project, hear their stories and see the fantastic work that is going on to help them build a better way of life,” added Adams.
“It shows you what amazing things sport can do to benefit people and communities.”