Haringey triumphed over the rest of the boroughs in the capital as they claimed the Jubilee Trophy at the London Youth Games.
And success came after their girls’ hockey team claimed gold at the Finals Festival at Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The 2023 London Youth Games Finals Festival and Great Get Together saw a diverse and inclusive reflection of young people and communities of the 33 London boroughs enjoy an amazing weekend of sport, culture and art in an atmosphere and spirit not seen since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Thousands of young Londoners were inspired to follow in the footsteps of Team GB’s most iconic sporting names by competing in finals of athletics, tennis, BMX, swimming, road cycling, basketball, volleyball, netball, hockey, aquathlon and table tennis at the London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark, London Marathon Community Track, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and Copper Box Arena – just like the heroes of 2012.
And LYG Chair Prof. Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM said: “The mental, physical and emotional health and well-being benefits were evident as the teams went through the final rounds, culminating in the Jubilee trophy, which is presented to the winning borough as a reflection of a year-round exposure of sport for development and peace.
"2024 will see an Olympic and Paralympic year provide the Youth Games Finals Festival with a further opportunity for families, friends, coaches, officials, volunteers and organisations to work together and be part of something special in the lives of young people and communities.”
Cllr Emily Arkell, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Leisure, added: “I’m absolutely delighted to see Team Haringey triumph at the London Youth Games for the second year running. The number and variety of different events in which our young people excelled is testament to our outstanding sports education and inclusive approach here in Haringey.
“On behalf of everyone at the council, I’d like to congratulate all our wonderful young athletes, coaches, schools and everyone who helped make this amazing success happen.”
Lyn Garner, chief executive of LLDC, said: “We were thrilled to host so many participants and spectators at the London Youth Games Finals Festival. It’s wonderful to think that 11 years on from London 2012, the iconic venues at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park continue to inspire the next sporting generation.”
The Finals Festival was the culmination of over 50 qualifying events in more than 30 sports delivered across London from November, as over 10,000 participants and spectators flocked to the Olympic Park.
As well as Haringey defending the Jubilee Trophy, north London neighbours Hackney retained the ParaGames Trophy.
LYG chief executive Andy Dalby-Welsh said: “It was a fantastic end to the season being in such prestigious London 2012 legacy venues. Huge congratulations to Haringey on retaining the Jubilee trophy and a massive well done to Hackney who have provided such great opportunities for their Para athletes and retained the ParaGames trophy for a second year.”
Participants were cheered on by some of Great Britain’s sporting heroes including Christine Ohuruogu, England and Great Britain hockey star Tess Howard, Paralympic Commonwealth gold winner Emmanuel Coker, London Lions basketball players Shanice Beckford-Norton, Savannah Wilkinson and Bradley Kaboza, Britain’s most successful male Taekwondo athlete Lutalo Muhammad, former Olympic sprinter and bobsledder Marcus Adam and IBF European Cruiserweight champion Jordan Thompson.
Former London Youth Games participant and Olympic gold medalist Ohuruogu said: “The talent at London Youth Games is pretty impressive – I really enjoyed watching the relays. It was great seeing athletes come up with multiple medals around their necks – that tells you these guys are on a really good start!”
Working alongside partners Nike, Sport England, London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Greater London Authority (GLA) and Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the London Youth Games Foundation is focused on improving the accessibility of sport to young people of all backgrounds, channelling the Olympic spirit to transform opportunities for children across the city.
Shaun Dawson, chief executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, added: "We’re delighted to be supporting the London Youth Games again. Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre were built for legacy so it’s fantastic to see young athletes from across London enjoying these inspiring venues.
"We look forward to continuing to work with the London Youth Games to provide life-changing opportunities for young athletes and keep the legacy of London 2012 alive.”
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