Jonathan Edwards: Almost a year on from London 2012 and young people are driving the legacy

As the highly anticipated anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games becomes ever closer, events will start to kick-off across the country to celebrate the historic achievements of Team GB and Paralympics GB.

Everyone from teachers and parents to politicians and athletes will be talking about what sporting legacy has been left for young people.

For me, legacy has always been about inspiring young people, not just to take part in sport, but to be inspired by sport, to get involved, try volunteering, coaching, officiating or helping out at events. This message was clear when seven young people were handed the Olympic Flame almost 12 months ago.

One year on and hundreds of young people have been leading legacy plans for their schools and developing a range of ways to get their peers involved in sport, after being involved with the Youth Sport Trust's Lead your generation project. The aim is simple; it's all about young people at the heart of delivering a meaningful legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It's led and informed by young people and they are making a real difference.

Olympic Flame London 2012 Opening Ceremony

The importance of legacy was illustrated when seven youngsters were handed the Olympic Flame by Sir Steve Redgrave at the Opening Ceremony of London 2012

Seeing firsthand the activities taking place, I've been so impressed and even more taken aback by the level of commitment given to their projects. Their determination and drive to do something for their peers is inspirational.

Fadumo Olow, who is 18, organised an all girls sports day for 200 young girls across 12 schools in Slough with young girls taking part and trying new sports including handball, benchball, football and seated volleyball. This was all part of her legacy plan as she is passionate about increasing girls' awareness and participation in sport. She worked for months to put on an event with the aim of encouraging young girls to enjoy taking part in sport and show them that there are lots of sporting opportunities available. She even secured Olympic rowing gold medallist Katherine Grainger to attend and support the event, which was a huge success.

Fadumo is a key role model in her school and community with many young people aspiring to be like her, which is brilliant to see. This for me is what legacy is about and is happening all over the country. Fadumo is just one of hundreds of young people working hard to ensure there is a legacy for young people now the Games have been and gone.

Katharine Grainger leading out youngsters

Olympic rowing gold medallist Katherine Grainger has been helping keep the spirit of London 2012 alive and ensuring that there is the Games' legacy continues

To celebrate the work that is going on in schools, events have been hosted in Loughborough and London, which have seen hundreds of young people share their legacy plans and put on demonstrations of the sports and activities they have introduced into their schools.

These events are a fantastic opportunity for young people to share what's worked well and brainstorm ideas, as well as meeting London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic athletes. I'm heading to the last event in Leeds with Jordan Duckitt; one of the lucky seven young people that lit the Olympic Cauldron last year, who is an incredible ambassador for school sport. I'm sure his story will have an inspirational impact on these young people.

Giving young people the responsibility to shape their own legacy is a powerful thing. My message to them would be to take this opportunity and drive forward the legacy that you want to see; it's in your hands.

Olympic triple jump gold medallist and Youth Sport Trust Board Member, Jonathan Edwards, will join more than 100 young people at the Leeds legacy summit today as they showcase how they have been delivering an Olympic and Paralympic legacy in their schools.