Lord Desborough was one of the UK's greatest-ever Olympians. As founding president of the British Olympic Association, he made it happen for London 1908. In recognition of his contribution, we are planning an Olympic Heritage Exhibition in 2012. 

'In the Games in London were assembled some two thousand young men…representative of the generation into whose hands the destinies of most of the nations of the world are passing at this moment…and we hope that their meeting… may have a beneficial effect hereafter on the cause of international peace.'
Lord Desborough 1910

'I have always believed that sport is the hidden social worker in the community. It is a great leveller, educator and motivator.  Nothing demonstrates the inspirational power of sport better than hosting the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.'
Lord Coe, 2007