"The ability of sport to reach beyond the confines of an Olympic park or host nation is a powerful one"
The London 2012 Games inspired a nation and, despite being almost four 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 6th April 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 peace and social change in all corners of the world.
In the run up to Rio 2016, Team GB joined forces with martial arts charity Fight for Peace as part of its preparation for the Games.
The partnership looks 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 combines sports with education and personal development in communities affected by crime and violence in both London and Rio and were visited by the GB boxing team at their Brazilian base in late last year.
The squad was treated to a presentation about the group and its work, and with the help of interpreters, took part in a question and answer session with youth leaders. Later on, they put boxers at the Academy through their paces with a fun session on the pads.
Today, Fight for Peace supports over 2,500 young people each year across 25 countries and by the end of 2015 had trained 90 organisations and helped more than 100,000 young people living in communities affected by gun crime around the world.
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