Finals Festival marks new future for London’s Youth at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Across the weekend of the 1st and 2nd July, 5,000 young Londoners from the 32 boroughs of London and the City of London will represent their boroughs on this ground-breaking weekend completing the London Youth Games season.
The London Youth Games has a rich 46-year history, having been set up to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.
Geoff Thompson MBE, London Youth Games Chair said: “To offer this London 2012 legacy opportunity to young Londoners from all backgrounds and boroughs is fantastic. This event is exactly what London 2012 committed to leave in place for young people. For the London Youth Games to harness this spirit and opportunity on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is hugely exciting and appropriate.”
Basketball, Netball, Volleyball and Table Tennis will be played in the Copper Box Arena, while Swimming and Aquathlon will take place in the London Aquatic Centre and the Tennis and Hockey Finals will be played in the Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey centre. The London Marathon Community Track will be the home for the Athletics. Plus, Lee Valley VeloPark will host Road Cycling on Saturday and BMX on Sunday.
Bringing the festival vibes and making this a real community event is the ‘Finals Festival’ outside the Copper Box Arena on East Cross Square. There is a chance for families to come down and support their family members in the events and to enjoy live music and dance acts on the stage. Those joining us across the weekend can try a variety of sports and activities including NFL and Futsal. Any more details here? Assuming it’s flag football? An Orienteering challenge will start from the Copper Box Arena and enable people to explore the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
London Youth Games Chief Executive, Andy Dalby-Welsh, said “We believe sport is a right for all. We are so grateful to all our partners who are supporting us in putting on this exciting event, from those who will be representing their boroughs to those who will be supporting and enjoying the festival site outside the Copper Box Arena. We are excited that through competition, cultural performances, have-a-go sessions, and giveaways, we can demonstrate how the London Youth Games is ‘Every Young Londoner’s Games.’”
Also taking place on 1st July supported by LLDC is the Great Get Together. This will provide visitors to the Park with the opportunity to take part in a free, fun-filled community event at the Park. There’s a huge array of live music, dance, and performances on the big stage as well as sports and activities, which are sure to delight the thousands of Londoners flocking to Stratford.