Carol Ann Duffy, the poet laureate, has given a reading of her poem for London 2012, tracing the 100-year history of the venue chosen for the Paralympics – and spoken of her belief that, just as sporting effort is good for our bodies, art is good for our health, too. Duffy performed the first reading of her poem, Eton Manor, to members of the Eton Manor Association. The former Eton Manor Boys Club will be hosting wheelchair tennis and swimming training during the Olympics this summer.

Duffy said: "The original Olympics involved poetry as well as sport, celebrating the wholeness of human endeavour. I think it makes us healthier, as well as our running, jumping and marvellous physical achievements, to look more internally at art, music and poetry."

Eton Manor Association’s chairman, George Murton, said: "To put into words and verse a potted history of a century of club life, and to capture the devotion to their club of thousands of Eton Manor members is not easy. Carol Ann recognised the loyalty, camaraderie, and sheer pride in belonging that members of Eton Manor had, and have for their club, while also acknowledging the major part played by the Old Etonian founders."

You can read the poem here