Gold Challenge founder Dan Thompson was joined at the launch by Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson, Sport England chief executive Jennie Price, British Olympic Association (BOA) chief executive Andy Hunt and television presenter Konnie Huq to unveil the plans for the scheme that is part of the £135 million legacy programme "Place People Play" legacy plan which was unveiled last week.

Gold Challenge aims to raise £20 million for charity by the end of 2012 by getting people to test themselves in Olympic and Paralympic sports while organisers hope that more than 100,000 will take part and work towards helping their chosen charity.

The non-profit organisation also aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation and potentially uncover future Olympic and Paralympic champions.

Robertson told insidethegames: "I'm as confident as I possibly can be that this scheme will work at this stage of the process.

"What really appeals to me about this scheme is that it is a very simple concept and simple concepts always have the best chance of working.

"You have the inspirational backdrop of London 2012 and you're inspiring people to get people involved in sport while raising money for charity.

"I would be amazed if this wasn't a huge success."

Price said: "There's nothing quite like the challenge of raising money for charity to get people off the sofa and onto the pitch, track, sports hall or into the pool.

BOA chairman Colin Moynihan said: "The British Olympic Association is proud to be a partner of the Gold Challenge.

"This initiative will provide people of all ages and abilities throughout the UK with the opportunity to experience and enjoy Olympic sports first-hand."

Thompson added: "My vision for Gold Challenge is twofold; to inspire people of every age and physical ability to play sport and raise significant sums of money for charity.

"By harnessing the growing excitement around London 2012, we are in a unique position to deliver these two objectives."

A new website for participants - www.goldchallenge.org - has now gone live and gives a helping hand and training ideas by providing key information guides on the different sports.

Participants can also upload their progress and performance on its Gold Challenge Tracker.

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