Legacy lives on with Finals Festival for London Youth Games

After an incredibly competitive season, the London Youth Games has culminated in a widely anticipated Finals Festival bringing together youngsters across the capital. 

In recent weeks, young Londoners have met and competed at the city's most iconic sports venues including Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and Lee Valley VeloPark and London Aquatics Centre.

Building on the legacy of the 2012 London Olympics, the 2024 London Youth Games Finals Festival at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park celebrated sport, culture, and community. In this Olympic and Paralympic year, the LYG Finals Festival, hosted at Copper Box Arena, marked the conclusion of over fifty qualifying events across more than thirty sports.

London Youth Games Chair Prof. Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM emphasized the holistic benefits of the Games stating “The London Youth Games Finals Festival in this Olympic and Paralympic year provided a distinct opportunity for families, friends, coaches, officials, volunteers, and organizations to work together and be part of something special in the lives of young people and communities. The Jubilee Trophy is a reflection of a year-round exposure of sport for development and peace. The mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being benefits were evident as the teams went through the final rounds.”

Congratulations to all those who took part, and especially the big winners, Bromley, who came away with the coveted Jubilee Trophy, while Wandsworth won the ParaGames Trophy, recognising their outstanding performances across an incredible calendar of sporting events.

Thousands of young athletes competed at the Finals Festival, following in the footsteps of Britain’s sporting icons.

David, Southwark basketball player said “It means a lot to a lot of young people to compete in an Olympic venue like this. When we were told we were playing at the Copper Box, I was shocked, I was like “the real Copper Box?!?” This is obviously where the London Lions play and hosted the Olympics back in 2012, so it’s amazing to play where they were.”

Naniyah, Redbridge netball player commented “It’s overwhelming, it’s honestly it’s so amazing to be here playing in the Copper Box. I’ve watched games here and wanted to be someone who’s actually on the court, it’s really exhilarating.”

To find out more about the London Youth Games and the wider results from the 2024 Finals Festival, click here.