Youth Olympic Games… how the journey continued at London 2012

With our bags unpacked, stories shared and souvenirs proudly displayed, we thought it was time to look back and celebrate the achievements of the fantastic Youth Olympic Games athletes who rocked the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Just two years after experiencing the largest sporting stage of their lives at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, more than 190 athletes flew the YOG flag in London, and we were there with you, the YOG fans, cheering them on all the way.

Who can forget the ecstatic scenes in the aquatics centre as South Africa’s Chad le Clos claimed gold over his idol, Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Michael Phelps, in the 200m butterfly? Or when Jade Jones of Team GB powered her way to a defining victory in the 57kg taekwondo final to the roars of a home crowd? Or that magnificent run which saw Jessica Fox live up to her nickname “The Flying Fox” and secure silver in the Women’s kayak (K1)?

And then there were those that made history. South Korea’s Jangmi Kim held her nerve to shoot a new Olympic record of 591 and take gold in the women’s 25m pistol; 18-year-old Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic became the youngest ever Olympic 400m medallist when he crossed the line in second place; and Sam Oldham joined his teammates in making history as the first British male gymnasts to win a medal in an Olympic Games in 100 years, when they took bronze in the team event.

And that’s just a few highlights! 193 Youth Olympic Games athletes; 25 medals (eight gold, eight silver and nine bronze) and one incredible Games! What a journey it has been from Singapore 2010 to London 2012. The YOG athletes gave it their all to get to London 2012 and put on amazing performances - for the next generation of YOG athletes their journey is just beginning!

Watch this space for news on the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games coming soon!