The extension was announced at an event here where London Youth Games patron Zoe Smith (pictured above, right and below, second adult in from the right), who won gold in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, joined youngsters (pupils from Oak Lodge Primary, Bromley, pictured below) to celebrate the agreement.

The partnership with international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has been hugely beneficial for the London Youth Games, since it began in 2007.

The agreement see £1.1 million ($1.7 million/€1.2 million) invested into grass roots youth sport in London after the Olympic and Paralympic Games, making a total of £2.5 million ($4 million/€3 million) worth of funding since 2007.

It is now the largest annual youth sport event in Europe, with 80 competitions running during the London Youth Games this year.

Launched back in 1977, participation in the Games – an annual season of youth sport events involving all 33 Boroughs in London – has tripled to over 70,000 during the last five years.

London Youth Games hope to have every school in the capital involved in either their competition or voluntary and cultural programmes by 2015.

Chief executive Russell Findlay is confident of achieving that goal.

"We are really confident – we have got one borough in Barking and Dagenham with every school entered into the competition this year, so we know it is possible" he told insidethegames.

"The [Games] provide inspiration for the kids and a really quality experience.

"They are role models, particularly those who have competed in the London Youth Games before, to give competitors an idea of just what is possible."


As well as the 70,000 competitors who took part in the Games last year, London Youth Games run the largest disability sport programme in Britain, with some 5,500 participants in 2011, helping fulfil a key part of the London 2012 legacy promise.

Some of those who have competed in the London Youth Games in the past include Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, Olympic 400 metres champion Christine Ohuruogu (pictured below) and world 5,000m champion Mo Farah.

"It's fantastic, it's equally important to have the right coaches and the right facilities but the right competition gives something to aspire to, so we're really proud that we have helped as a stepping stone along the way," Findlay said of the trio.

Other famous alumni include Linford Christie, the only man ever to simultaneously hold the Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth 100m titles, and Luol Deng, the captain of the Chicago Bulls and one of the biggest basketball stars in the United States who is set to represent Britain at London 2012.

Findlay credits Balfour Beatty as playing a significant part in their growth in recent years.

"They've been massive – when they came in 2007 we had 25,000 participants and through that finance and helping us promote the Games, as well as their own volunteers they have been crucial to our growth and the position we are in today," he said.

"They have been fantastic."

Balfour Beatty who built the Olympic Aquatics Centre, have won a 10 year management contract for the Olympic Park and are also developing some of London's road and train network.


"I'm really happy at the opportunity to be involved, mainly because I think it is a very important to try and inspire the younger generation to get involved in sport," double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Leon Baptiste told insidethegames.

Baptiste emphasised the importance of the opportunity afforded to youngsters to be involved in competition.

"I remember as a youngster me and my mother played chess a lot and she was very competitive...and would not let me beat her!" he said.

"What that did was instil that competitiveness in me, and that is what I have today."

Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson said: "I'm delighted that Balfour Beatty has continued its investment in the London Youth Games.

"This is exactly the kind of partnership between business and sport we want to see benefitting young people and building on our legacy from 2012."

Balfour Beatty chief operating officer Andrew McNaughton added: "It is vitally important that we use the 2012 Olympic Games as a springboard for active participation in sport across the country and in London, in particular.

"Our partnership with the London Youth Games is a key part of our mission to help young people make the best of themselves and by extending it to at least 2015, we can make sure that forward momentum in terms of young people's involvement in sport in the capital is maintained."

The finals of this year's London Youth Games take place from June 28 to July 1 at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace, London. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2012: Exclusive - Crewroom to extend sponsorship of London Youth Games
January 2012: London Youth Games Foundation reveals competition programme for 2012
December 2011: Smith and Weir go head to head in Olympics v Paralympic challenge
October 2011: Record number of youngsters take part in London Youth Games
June 2011: Olympic gold medallists present for London Youth Games draw