London stages Europe’s largest youth sports festival

Children from all 33 London boroughs took part in 28 sports at Crystal Palace in the youth event supported by London 2012, which is bidding to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The event was attended by Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who demonstrated her support for the bid by jumping through the EDF Energy Leap Counter which tracks public endorsement of the campaign.

London 2012 bid chairman Sebastian Coe offered a message of welcome and told participants: "The Games provide young Londoners with the chance to get a foot on the sporting ladder and help to develop and encourage young people's sporting talent.

"With thousands of young people involved, the event is a fantastic festival of sport and provides an excellent platform for youngsters from all walks of life.

"As a former athlete and Olympian, the Olympic Games profoundly and positively influenced my life. I want to give that opportunity to others and leave a lasting sporting legacy for future generations" added Lord Coe, who won Olympic 1500m gold medals in Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984.

The youth event was opened by former boxing champion Michael Watson, one of Britain's sporting icons who raised millions of pounds for charity when he completed the London marathon course in six days despite being partially paralysed.

Watson, whose arrival with the official youth games flame was greeted by a roar of welcome from 3,000 children aged between six and 11, told participants: "It's great to see so many children taking part in a variety of sports at such a young age."

12 July 2004