Olympics boost sports participation in England

LONDON - A survey by Sport England showed on Thursday that the number of people playing sport at least once a week grew by 750,000 in England this year, the BBC reported. ?

The impact and success of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games have helped boost numbers.

Cycling has shown the most significant rise, with 200,000 more people riding compared to the last annual figures.

More women than ever before are taking part in sport, although the survey reveals that 16-25-year-olds are not taking up sport in any greater numbers.

The figures show that 15.5 million people aged 16 and over are playing sport at least once a week - 750,000 more than a year ago and 1.57 million more than when London won the Olympic and Paralympic bid in 2005.