In an opinion article published today on the US-based website Aroundtherings.com Moynihan said "London has had its wake up call.... I am confident this is what the world will see during London 2012, and the images will be in stark contrast to those we witnessed during the recent unrest. Importantly, it is sport that can be a driving force for these changes."
Moynihan, a member of parliament for the London area of Lewisham East for 10 years, said the inexcusable acts of violence and civil unrest in England pointed to a growing problem in society. He said there was "a very real risk of young people growing up with an absence of hope, opportunity, belonging and self-respect".
"This impending crisis is built on a disfranchised minority who turn to gang culture, anger and violence."
But he said the London 2012 Olympic Games can ensure sport is "embedded into the package of solutions necessary to put the fires out permanently and rebuild some of our broken cities".
Moynihan said the London Olympics will be the most competitive with more countries capable of winning medals than previously. He said the host city was excited and energised about the Games, shown by the sell out of 25 of the 26 sports on the Olympic programme. "We are determined to maximise the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of London making Olympic history and ensure that the sports legacy of the London Games touches the lives of generations to come and now, most importantly, is seen as a contributor to heal the wounds so visibly exposed in the riots and civil unrest on the streets of our cities this month," he wrote on the website.