The London Legacy Development Corporation’s work was recognised at the PRO-ACTIVE London County Sports Partnership Awards Evening this week.

The Legacy Corporation, which is responsible for transforming the former Olympic site into Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, received the PRO-ACTIVE East London Partner of the Year award.

Karen West, Head of Sport and Healthy Living at the Legacy Corporation, received  the award on behalf of the Corporation for playing a “pivotal role in supporting PRO-ACTIVE East London to develop and deliver a variety of new legacy projects, working closely with the team as well as key partners and individuals”.

Jo Aitken, Director of PRO-ACTIVE East London said:

“The impact the Legacy Corporation has had on the PRO-ACTIVE East London team has been immense. The partnership has allowed them to understand and maximise opportunities to engage and bring new opportunities to east Londoners. The London Legacy Development Corporation has been integral to the success seen in recent projects. Their shared passion to create a legacy for the 2012 Games for community sport is something that they value above all else.”

The Corporation also sponsored the Inspirational Sports Performance of the year award, which this year went to David Weir CBE.

2012 was an astonishing year for David, a sixth London Marathon victory was followed by an incredible four Gold medals at the London Paralympic Games. The breadth of his achievement is staggering, with victories in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the Marathon across only eight days. Dubbed ‘The Weirwolf’ by fans, David truly helped to inspire a generation.

Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation said:

“We are delighted to be recognised for our partnership work in east London. As we get closer to opening the Park in July our efforts to work with organisations around the Park becomes even more important. We are creating a new Park, a new piece of the city and a fantastic legacy for east London.”

The PRO-ACTIVE London County Sports Partnership held their annual awards evening on Friday 26th April 2013 at the KIA Oval, hosting a mixture of grassroots coaches and volunteers and elite athletes and that represent London’s sporting landscape. The Awards, sponsored by GLL, are the only regional awards which celebrate the contribution of thousands of people, the majority of whom are volunteers, and who make it possible for so many people to take part.

The 280 guests in attendance were treated to a keynote speech from Alan Watkinson, former PE teacher of Mo Farah, who recounted stories of the young athlete’s rise from reluctant cross-country runner to double Olympic champion. The evening also hosted the UEFA Champions League and Women’s Champions League trophies, with both finals due to take place in London in May. But the highlight of the evening was six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir receiving the Inspirational Sports Performance Award, and presenting his long-term coach Jenny Archer with the Elite Coach of the Year Award.

David and Jenny closed the evening with a Q&A session, where they recognised the importance of community sport, embodied by the many coaches and volunteers in attendance, and discussed their new Weir Archer Academy which aims to offer top-class coaching and facilities to aspiring young disabled and able-bodied athletes.

This year the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards received over 700 nominations and were attended by 280 guests, including seven former Olympians and Paralympians.