Swimming and gyms in decline as sport participation falls

Minister promises new strategy as number of people playing sport falls 222,000 in six months

Swimming pool
(Image credit: Getty)

The number of people who take part in sport at least once a week has fallen by almost a quarter of a million over the last six months, according to new figures from Sport England, prompting sports minister Tracey Crouch to promise a new strategy for sport "as a matter of urgency".

Between October and March 15.5 million people did some kind of sport every week, 222,000 fewer than six months ago. The biggest decline has been in swimming, although it remains the nation's most popular sport.

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