City of London schoolgirl Hannah McDonald was amongst a talented
group of young London swimmers who were invited to enjoy an
inspirational visit to the London 2012 Aquatics Centre on Tuesday
in the company of Olympic medallist Stephen Parry.
The 18-year-old City of London School For Girls student has
previously represented the City of London team at the London Youth
Games in the swimming at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. In
2008, McDonald formed part of the team that set the junior relay
record for crossing the English Channel.
Stephen Parry, who won 200m butterfly bronze at the 2004 Athens
Olympic behind legendary American Michael Phelps, was inspired by
what he saw. He said: “In the last few years, I have not missed
swimming, but coming to see the London 2012 Aquatics Centre has
made me excited and almost makes me want to put my trunks back
on!
“We want our kids to be inspired by 2012 – that is what the bid
was won on. By coming down here and seeing the Aquatics Centre, the
London Youth Games swimmers will go away motivated about their
sport and inspired about what is going to take place here in two
years time.
“Events like the London Youth Games are the bedrock of sport in
this country. We want our kids to be experiencing competitive sport
at grassroots. When I was their age I was doing the Liverpool Youth
Games, which is a similar multi-sport competition, but obviously
not as prestigious. These kids are just starting out on exactly the
same pathway that I have been through, which – for me - resulted in
an Olympic medal.”
The London Youth Games, which is sponsored by the contractor
that is building the London 2012 Aquatics Centre, is Europe’s
largest annual youth sports event. In 2009 around 47,000 kids took
part in 30 sports from all 33 London boroughs.
Former participants at the London Youth Games include 2008
Beijing Olympic Gold medallists Christine Ohuruogu (athletics),
Bradley Wiggins (cycling) and Mark Hunter (rowing). Christine
Ohuruogu is the 2010 patron of the Games, she represented her
borough of Newham in netball and athletics as a youngster.
The 2010 season launched with the girls indoor cricket
qualifiers on 6/7 February and runs for 25 competition days
throughout the year, climaxing at the Crystal Palace National
Sports Centre on 3-4 July.