GUERNSEY should treat the 2012 London Olympics as an opportunity to engage the island’s youth in sport. Speaking at last night’s Awards for Achievement, former Olympic gold medal winner and world record holder Lord Coe said the concept of empowering the young through the Games was central to the successful bid.

He added that the island had a remarkable sporting heritage of which it should be proud.

Lord Coe commended the community for its high involvement in sport, citing 25% of the 60,000 population who either participated in or organised it.

‘This is an impressive statistic you should make a great deal more of.’

He was also astonished by the island’s impressive record of high achievers. ‘For someone like Dale Garland to come from such as small community to place sixth in the Commonwealth Games decathlon is a nigh-on miracle. You also have Lee Merrien, who is ranked eighth in the British Mile Club, for which I am president.

‘You have a lot to be proud of.’

He said that with a small population, it was excellent to have two such great sporting role models alongside World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx to inspire the young.

Today, he is meeting Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland and others from the sporting fraternity to discuss how Guernsey can play its part in the Olympics. Lord Coe said Guernsey was in a strong position to host training camps in a number of disciplines, especially sailing.

He added that promoting sport was a good educational and environmental policy and also one of inclusion. ‘The challenge is to make it accessible for the younger generation and excite them.’

He spoke of the importance of television in achieving that end. Lord Coe recalled being at school at the age of 12 when a television was brought in to the assembly hall one morning to watch the Olympics.

‘We watched husband and wife athletes John and Sheila Sherwood competing.’ The former went on to achieve bronze in the 400m hurdles and his wife took silver in the long jump.

‘I walked out of that hall knowing I had to be a part of it. I did not need to be told that, when properly applied, television can have a dramatic effect. ‘If reality TV is the new era, we have to turn London into the best reality TV show ever.’

He praised the island’s achievement in hosting the 2003 Island Games.

‘In London, I want a whole generation of people involved, not just as competitors, but also volunteers, marketers and the media as just a handful of the vast diversity of people who will make it a success.’

n Lord Coe nearly did not make it to Guernsey for the awards ceremony – because he had no photo identity when he checked in for the Aurigny flight from Gatwick. Staff did not recognise one of the most well known men in the world and frantic calls were made to Guernsey to resolve the matter.

After an anxious 20-minute delay, Lord Coe was finally cleared and the flight, delayed by snow in the UK, left at about 4.30pm.

The Winners

Ambassador of the Year: Jamie and Vanessa Le Tissier

Lifetime Achievement Award: Juliet Carre

Guernsey Business of the Year: Healthspan

Best Large Business: Healthspan

Best Medium Business: Wave Telecom

Best Small Business: Island Rib Voyages

Excellence in Training: Norman Piette

Lifetime Ambassador (special award): Andy Priaulx