With less than two years to go until the opening ceremony of London 2012, figures have revealed that the 2010 Balfour Beatty London Youth Games was officially the biggest in the competition’s 33 year history. 

For the first time ever, over 50,000 young Londoners took part in the season of events - which concluded at the National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace on 3-4 July - featuring 33 London Borough teams competing across 30 sports on 25 competition days throughout the year.

Europe’s largest annual youth sports event, which holds charitable status, was set its target of 50,000 participants by 2012 by funding partner Sport England, and the figures are an indication of a rising surge of interest in competitive sport among young people in the capital as the London Olympics draws closer.

In 2008, 27,830 young people in London took part in the London Youth Games either by competing at the actual competition or by taking part in Borough trials for the competition or taking part in squad training for the competition. 

In 2009, that figure rose to 47,740 and as of 26 July 2010, this year’s figure was 52,022 with three Boroughs yet to submit their final numbers.

Several recent developments have contributed to the rise, including:
 
•         The re-introduction of the Thames Water Regatta in 2008. Two years ago, 277 took to the water to compete in sailing, rowing or kayaking.  In 2010, 721 youngsters from 31 boroughs competed.

•         The launch of Balfour Beatty Sporting Pathway Grants in 2009 to assist National Governing Bodies to improve participation in under-represented areas of London. Triathlon has been one of the beneficiaries and has seen a 30 per cent increase in two years.

•         Balfour Sports Development Grants with 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a London Child was launched in 2007 to deliver funding to London Boroughs to create sporting opportunities for disadvantaged young people. Around 3,500 are estimated to have benefited in 2010 alone with the creation of new clubs, new competitions and new regular coaching sessions.

Russell Findlay, the chief executive of the London Youth Games said: "Naturally, we are delighted that we have burst through the 50,000 mark for the first time ever. 

"It demonstrates the London Youth Games’ role as a catalyst of competitive sporting activity for tens of thousands of young Londoners.

"It is a significant landmark for the organisation, but now is not the time to relax our efforts.

"It is really important that we grasp the opportunity that the next two years present.

"Competitive sport is never likely to be more prominent in the minds of young people than it is in the run up to London 2012.

"Thanks to the support of our chief funding partners Balfour Beatty and Sport England, we have been able to deliver a high-quality event that motivates young people to become involved in sport, inspires them to continue in sport and engenders the type of competitive environment that helps to develop champions.

"The challenge now is for us to continue to work intelligently with London boroughs and National Governing Bodies to widen opportunities even further and enable thousands more young people to fulfil their potential."

Hannah Bladen, Sport England's Regional Lead for London, said: "For many young people, sport is about having fun and enjoying the experience of taking part.

"But for some, the chance to compete at a higher level gives an even greater buzz - and is where sporting careers are kick started.

"The London Youth Games is a fantastic force for increasing participation in competitive sport and a showcase for the young sporting talent the capital has to offer."

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