There is a reason that the Olympic Games is often described as the "Greatest Show on Earth" and I think that anyone who saw London 2012 last year knows exactly why that is.

I was one of the lucky ones who actually got to compete at the Olympics.

Less than a month before the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, it was announced that Shauna Mullin and I would represent Team GB in the sport of beach volleyball.

It was a huge honour for us because it marked the first time ever that a British pair have featured in an Olympic beach volleyball tournament since the event made its debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

The London 2012 beach volleyball setting at the iconic Horse Guards Parade was absolutely stunning and after thinking about the Olympic Games for so long, it was unbelievable to step out onto the sand in front of our home fans.

We simply couldn't believe the support from the crowds and competing there was truly a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately, we missed out on a medal but the whole experience of being part of the Olympic Games was a reward in itself for years of dedication, hard work and training.

Having been part of an Olympic Games that promised to "Inspire a Generation", I am now looking to do exactly that in my role as one of Sport England's Sporting Champions.

One of my key roles as a Sporting Champion involves supporting Sportivate projects across the country.

Sportivate is the £56 million ($85 million/€65 million) National Lottery funded Olympic and Paralympic legacy initiative run by Sport England that gives 11 to 25 year olds who aren't particularly sporty six to eight weeks' free coaching in a new sport and then helps them find low cost ways to continue to play.

Next up for me later this month is a return to a great Sportivate volleyball project at Richard Huish College in the county of Somerset.

The project is looking to get young people into the sport of volleyball and more importantly, keep them there once they are hooked.

As a Sporting Champion, I hope to use the magic of London 2012 to inspire all the young people in attendance to make sport a big part of their life.

My goal has always been to compete at the Olympics and I am now training hard with Lucy Boulton, also a Sporting Champion, to make it to the next Games in Rio in 2016. But for many children out there, the goal is simply to take part and have fun. That's the brilliant thing about sport - it can be played and enjoyed by all different people at all different levels from the elite right down to the grassroots.

And if athletes like me who competed at the "Greatest Show on Earth" can inspire young people to keep going out there to have fun and stay healthy and active, then that is yet another fantastic legacy from London 2012.

Zara Dampney is a beach volleyball player who represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She is now aiming to compete at her second Olympic Games at Rio 2016. Zara is also one of Sport England's Sporting Champions, which you can find out more about here.

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