£500m boost for sport to find future Olympians

School sport is to get a £500 million boost, the Prime Minister announced today.

Children will be able to play up to five hours a week of competitive sports. After-school and lunchtime sessions will be expanded and schools will be encouraged to forge closer links with professional and amateur clubs.

Tony Blair hopes the extra cash for school sport, unveiled in the Government's five-year plan, will help the it fulfil several goals. He wants to cut rising childhood obesity rates, eradicate juvenile anti-social behaviour and find the nation's future Olympic stars.

To help identify potential medal winners for the 2012 Olympics that London hopes to host, ?4 million will be spent on special provision for the most gifted young athletes. Mr Blair said: "This investment will give children new opportunities to take part in sport - inside and outside the school gate."