Technology permeates every part of our lives. From finance and banking to entertainment and dining, the past decade has seen lives reshaped and decisions remade by technological advances. Sport’s adoption of technology to date has, however, been patchy at best: as such, real opportunities are close at hand for those able to seize them.

That’s why London Sport say they are launching Making London the Heart of the Sport Tech World today. London’s status as one of the world’s great centres for technological innovation makes it the perfect environment to set an ambitious agenda for the future of SportTech, FitTech and HealthTech. This isn’t simply about using technology to grow participation – though that is a vital aspect – but about considering the wide-ranging social and cultural impacts that could be achieved through building a closer relationship between the worlds of sport and technology.

At the core of Making London the Heart of the Sport Tech World are two primary outcomes:

1. More Londoners use technology to be active
2. More organisations use technology to encourage Londoners to be active

These outcomes speak to a particular objective – an objective that sees more Londoners become physically active in their daily lives – but within them exist a multitude of positive outcomes for individuals, businesses and society as a whole. From increased representation of people from diverse backgrounds in both sport and technology development, to the breaking down of social boundaries, improvements to mental wellbeing, and stronger physical health, a wealth of social good can be enhanced through successful collaboration between sport and technology.

Commenting on the launch of Making London the Heart of the Sport Tech World, Alex Zurita, London Sport Specialist Advisor – Technology for Participation, said: “In developing this plan, we have been fortunate to have the input of a vast range of organisations from across London and the country, both those who work in technology and those who work in sport. I am convinced that technology can be the spark that ignites a revolution in the way that we, as Londoners, experience sport in our daily lives.

“London is already a leading light for FinTech, FoodTech, FashionTech, Cybersecurity and so many other areas. It is now sport’s turn to seize the digital opportunity, and deliver positive outcomes for health and wellbeing in the capital, and across the world.”

Publishing Making London the Heart of the Sport Tech World is not a starting point – too much great work is already underway for that to be the case – but neither is it the final objective. In the coming months and years, London Sport will use this new strategic plan as a means to bring together any group or organisation with the ability to make a change to sport in London through technology and bring us close towards our aim of making London the most physically active city in the world.