Hackney celebrates high finish at London Youth Games 2011

People living in property to rent in the London borough of Hackney are among those who are celebrating after budding athletes performed well at the London Youth Games 2011.

The borough saw its best ever result in the competition, netting 16th place overall.

More than 400 young people represented Hackney, when it took on 32 other boroughs around London.

Since November 2010, more than 40 teams have competed in 27 sports, with the Games finishing at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre earlier this month.

Some 36 of Hackney's teams finished in top-20 positions, with 18 of these nabbing spots in the top ten.

Previously, the best the borough had ever achieved was 23rd place overall, so this year showed great improvement.

Weightlifting, girls' basketball and adapted rowing were among the sports that Hackney excelled in.

As well as these, 34 individual medals were picked up across disciplines including disability athletics, kayak sprint, kayak, slalom, sailing and rowing.

The weightlifting team from Hackney managed to bag 1st place in London for the second year in a row, as well as Omarie Mears earning a personal best in the boys' event.

Gold medal winner Kim Pham said that the Games varies from other contests in terms of competitors, because there are a high number of late entries that come in, which can result in some of those participating being less experienced.

The sportsman added, however, "In terms of my performance, it doesn't change what so ever. I still have to compete as if I was at the British Champs!"

Hackney Council's cabinet member for health, social care and culture, Jonathan McShane, said: "A huge well done to all of those that participated and helped Hackney achieve its highest finish ever – it really is a great achievement."

Recently, the council launched a new Summer Activities Guide, which details all of the indoor and outdoor classes, sessions and events that are taking place across the borough for young people to take part in.

Posted by Martyn Glynn

Published 8th July, 2011

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