TESSA JOWELL ATTENDS LONDON YOUTH GAMES
13 July 2004by Press Office
The listing was posted by London Heathrow Youth Games
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell, MP, has thrown her support behind the 27th BAA Heathrow London Heathrow Youth Games - Europe’s largest youth sports event - that took place this weekend (Sat & Sun 10/11 July).
The Games were launched by inspirational figure Michael Watson during a spectacular opening ceremony on Thursday 8 July. Tessa Jowell continued the festivities when she joined more than 12,000 of London’s hottest young sporting stars over the Finals Weekend of the BAA Heathrow London Heathrow Youth Games at Crystal Palace. Tessa Jowell attended the games on Sunday 11 July to catch a glimpse of London’s most talented sports stars in action.
Based on an Olympic Games format, more than 20,000 children representing the 33 London boroughs, have demonstrated their sporting prowess in 28 different sports – everything from athletics to archery and swimming to squash.
During two days of thrilling sporting action Havering re-claimed the Jubilee Trophy for the overall winning Borough from last years winners Bexley – the seventh time in eight years they have won the title. Redbridge took second place with Bexley dropping to third. Bexley also demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship over the two days and were named winners of the Ric Grice Fair Play Award while Greenwich made the short journey home with the Trophy for Most Improved Borough.
BAA Heathrow sponsored the London Youth Games for the eleventh year running and BAA Heathrow’s Jon Phillips, said: “This year’s Games have been given an extra boost following the shortlisting of London for the Olympics in eight years time. We hope that some of the young people taking part in this event will be able to do so in their hometown in 2012.”
The Games this year have teamed up with London 2012 – the company bidding to bring the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to London - and received backing from Chairman Sebastian Coe at the event launch in Trafalgar Square in May. Sebastian Coe said: “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 the high level of sporting competition showcased this weekend it is likely that some competitors may go on to be Olympic champions in London in 2012. 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. Very few initiatives are able to promote young Londoners in such a positive way.”
All participants at the Games were encouraged to register their support by jumping through the EDF Energy Leap Counter. This registers people’s support by automatically recording the number of people that go through it. These figures are then passed to the London 2012 bid team to help demonstrate the public’s endorsement of the bid.
In addition to teaming up with London 2012, the prestigious event has gained the support of several high profile figures and organisations to help build on its success over the past 26 years. Ken Livingstone, Barbara Cassani and former participant Linford Christie have all recently backed the Games, and event partners now include the Greater London Authority, London Active Partnership, Sport England, Association of London Government, Choice FM and the Royal Navy.
As well as the wide variety of sporting activities on display, participants and spectators were also kept entertained by the BAA Heathrow London Youth Games Festival. The Festival acts as a focus point for the Games, celebrating the sporting endeavours of the 33 Borough teams and allowing them to enjoy additional acts and cultural activities. There was plenty to enjoy from DJ’s and dancers on the Choice FM stage, action at the Royal Navy Adventure Zone to five-a-side football displays, the Natwest Cricket Challenge Roadshow and much much more.
The weekend’s other big winners were:
Inner London Boroughs Trophy: Southwark
Disability Sports Trophy: Southwark