By Celia Brackenridge

Everyone knows about the Olympics … most people know about the Paralympics … some know about the Cultural Olympiad … but very few know about the pre-Olympic Convention or, to give it its full name, the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS).

ICSEMIS is the name for an event many decades old but now rebranded and coordinated by a unique partnership - the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), International Sports Medicine Federation (FIMS) and International Council of Sport Science and PE (ICSSPE). For 2012, ICSEMIS is being delivered by a consortium of UK-wide universities led by Brunel University London. The aim of ICSEMIS 2012 is "to inspire a learning legacy": it will take place in Glasgow, just prior to the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

ICSEMIS 2012 (www.icsemis2012.com ) is our chance to showcase Great Britain's fantastic wealth of talent in sport science, physical education and sports medicine. Without this, there would be no podium prospects, no improvements in coaching, and no advances in medal places. The critical debates encouraged by sport science align with the purpose of the Sports Think Tank; in particular, they develop independence of thought and rigorous research in a sports world that is too often dominated by stereotypes and conservatism.

Knowledge in these fields is THE basis of elite sport success ... so why does nobody at Westminster seem interested? According to the officials advising the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Roberson, ICSEMIS 2012 is nothing to do with the DCMS but falls under the remit of the Department of Health. How can this be, when ICSEMIS includes a hugely wide range of themes and sessions covering elite performance, young people's participation, teaching and coaching, international sport development, doping and ethics, physical activity patterns and much, much more.

The benefits of this event for the UK are massive. ICSEMIS has already attracted scientific abstracts from more than 2,000 people across 65 countries – it is the equivalent of the "knowledge Olympics" ... it will bring thousands of delegates to the UK, and millions of pounds to the UK economy. It will offer scholarships to 40 young scientists from developing countries and utilise a volunteer army of more than 60 students from all four home countries. Over 45 special issues of learned journals will be published by Taylor & Francis directly as a result of the ICESMIS. Linked to ICSEMIS is probably the largest ever programme of public engagement in sport science – Knowing Sport – which has been funded by Podium, Research Councils UK and the Scottish Government, recognised by LOCOG with their Inspire Mark, and which will attract thousands of ordinary members of the public to taste the excitement and wonders of the science that serves sport.

ICSEMIS will present to the world the very best of British sport science. While Lord Coe and David Cameron are focussed on the economic and sports participation legacies of the Olympics, ICSEMIS is already delivering its learning legacy promises. So, come on Westminster – shake a leg!

Professor Celia Brackenridge OBE is Chair of the Local Organising Committee, ICSEMIS 2012: Celia.brackenridge@brunel.ac.uk