The new year is ushering in a decade which will see Britain play a leading role in world sport, according to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.
The minister urged everyone to get involved with sport as he highlighted the events Britain will be staging.
Mr Burnham said the Olympics,the Ryder Cup and the cricket World Cup were among the events sports fans could relish in the coming years.
He also said efforts to make children more active would continue apace.
Mr Burnham said a decade of investment in British sport had set up a golden decade of sport still to come.
Mr Burnham said: "2008 was the year when people around the world noticed that Britain was back in business in sport.
"It has been the best year for British sport in living memory and the Queen's New Year Honours list rightly reflects the achievements of our star performers."
The minister added: "There are three key elements to achieving sporting success. These are getting the grassroots in shape, international elite success and hosting major events. For the first time in a generation we have all three elements in alignment."
He said that now the standard of British sport had been raised it was important to build on that success.
"There has never been a better time to take up sport and we want everyone to make it their New Year's resolution to contribute to the growing success story that is British sport," said Mr Burnham.
"This may be by taking up sport, becoming a coach, volunteering or introducing a friend to something new. We all have a part to play."
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