Boris Johnson announces Kate Hoey MP as commissioner for sport in London

Mayor of London - 15/05/2008

Although she will have an office at City Hall and will be working closely with the London Development Agency on the London Legacy Plan for Sport, she will not be paid for the role.

Commenting, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce that Kate is going to be helping me to rebuild sport provision in London. She made it perfectly clear that she cares deeply about providing young people in London with access to good sports facilities.

“She has extensive experience in working with grass roots sports providers and alongside Ray Lewis will play an invaluable part in the fight back against gang crime.

"We have a unique opportunity with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to set in place a lasting legacy for youth sport provisions across the capital and with Kate's knowledge, enthusiasm and experience I believe we can make a real difference."

Kate Hoey said:

"Londoners deserve the best sporting facilities possible and opportunities for all to participate. I am particularly keen to see that the  power of sport be used to change the lives of our young people. Sport crosses all political divides and I happy to play my part."

Notes to Editors

The Mayor's Commissioner for Sport

Kate Hoey's main task will be to drive up participation in sport in London and use the 2012 Games as catalyst to do so. In particular, to:

• Oversee the production of the London Legacy Plan for Sport, on which the LDA have begun work. The Commissioner would need to challenge the ambition of the Plan and work with partners to strengthen this where possible;
• Oversee the implementation of that Plan once it is published; 
• Develop proposals for how to drive up participation across London in a range of different age groups; 
• Interrogate Government's plans for sports participation legacy, when these are published in May, with reference to their impact on London.

Given the focus on sports participation, Kate will not represent the Mayor on the Board of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG).