The 2012 London Youth Games will feature 80 competitions – 20 more than before – to enable more young people to compete. In 2011, 71,000 youngsters participated in the Games and this number is now expected to increase.

Thirty sports will be competed in across 25 days with participants from the 33 London Boroughs until the season's climax at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace on July 1.

Also included is the Thames Water Regatta on June 9 and up to 11 disability sports' competitions.

The chief executive of the London Youth Games Foundation, Russell Findlay, said: "With the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year, we have a unique opportunity to engage with young people through sport.

"It is not only through our competition programme, but through our expanded young volunteers programme - GamesForce - and our newly launched cultural programme where will be working towards delivering the type of 2012 legacy that Seb Coe spoke about when bidding for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Singapore in 2005.

"He spoke of the 'need to inspire a generation of young people to take part in local volunteering and physical activity'.

"As well as building on the 71,025 participants from 2011, we will be seeking to significantly increase the hundreds of young sports officials who have qualified via the London Youth Games.

"These people will go on to be the backbone of London sport for generations to come.

"We are making it our mission to directly involve every single London school in every London borough in the London Youth Games by 2016 so that every young Londoner has the opportunity to participate or volunteer in sport.

"What a legacy for London that would be."


Recently, London 2012 contenders and former London Youth Games competitors David Weir and Zoe Smith (pictured) were unveiled as patrons of the 2012 London Youth Games.

The 17-year-old Commonwealth Games weightlifting bronze medalist, Zoe Smith – a patron of the London Youth Games and London 2012 contender – added: "The Balfour Beatty London Youth Games has played such a massive role in my sporting career.

"It is through the London Youth Games that I first discovered my talent for weightlifting.

"Without that early opportunity to compete, I seriously doubt whether I would have been in with a chance of competing at London 2012.

"It's an amazing season of events and it's a brilliant feeling to be able to represent your borough.

"I think every young Londoner should give it a go. It's fun, it's competitive and you never know what you might find out about yourself!"

Read more about the events here.

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