London Youth Games
Date: 6 July 2008
Time: 9.00am - 6.00pm
Location: Crystal Palace
The London Youth Games, which took place in Crystal Palace on Saturday 6 July, is a strategic sports infrastructure for London and the comments received from many of the 167 people we spoke to at this event was primarily around the impact that a similar strategic sports infrastructure in East London would have on investment, long-term management and governance.
Reflective of the nature of the event, many of the legacy issues raised focused on world-class sports facilities in East London, high performance sports training facilities, hosting of world-class sporting events and the creation of large, outdoor spaces.
Participants at the London Youth Games provided their thoughts on what the Olympic Games would bring to East London. They included:
-
"They will change it for the better. As East London will be known to people all around the world. It might be safer and cleaner if it's maintained properly."
-
"Hopefully it will bring other major sporting events to the UK."
-
"Change the reputation of the area. Hopefully it will be more commercially attractive and bring in tourists."
Some of the big ideas that participates came up with included:
-
"We should have cycling within main streets where people live - once a month as an event - and close off the roads to cars."
-
"Affordable sports and leisure activities for families and children (support from businesses/employers). At the moment they are very elitist."
-
"London Eye or similar attraction."
