Mayor plans Olympic sport boost

Mr Johnson aims to increase sport participation in the run-up to 2012

Mobile swimming pools, street athletics and sport for disabled children are planned by London's mayor as part of the legacy of the 2012 Olympics.

They will be introduced by Sport England and local authority members of a new forum, Boris Johnson said.

"The success of the Olympics must not be judged on regeneration benefits in the east of London alone," he said.

In January Mr Johnson pledged to invest £15.5m in sport in the capital, to be matched by sponsors and Sport England.

'Once in lifetime'

The mayor said: "This is a once in a lifetime chance to increase sport participation and activity, tackle social and health inequalities and bring the capital's communities together under the same vision."

More than a fifth of children in London are classified as obese and 50% of Londoners are defined as inactive, NHS London said.

The mayor hopes extra participation in sport and physical activity in the run-up to the 2012 Games will address this, and tackle other problems including crime and academic underachievement.

The new London Community Sports Board will be chaired by Kate Hoey MP, Commissioner for Sport in London.