The Olympics comes closer

A group of young people have had a sneak preview of some of the London 2012 Olympic sites as a reward for taking an active role in their community.

The group with the Mayor Cllr Peter Knell and Cllr Brenda Batten at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross

Eight members of this year's Herts Youth Games aquathlon teams and three Hertsmere Volunteer Police Cadets - who are also involved in Hertsmere's Young Researchers Project - joined the Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Peter Knell, and Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Health, Cllr Brenda Batten, for the tour which included a visit to the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross and a trip to the top of a tower block in Stratford to see the building of the Olympic Park.

The group were given a guided tour of venues and information about what the Olympics means for the area and the legacy it will leave for years to come.

Cllr Batten said: "The view of the London skyline from the tower block viewing gallery was fantastic and it was interesting to see all the different Olympic sporting centres spread across the area.  I was really impressed to see the majority of the group throw themselves into the spirit of the Games and relish the opportunity to walk up the 22 flights of stairs instead of using the lift!

"Another highlight was seeing the white water rafting in action, it certainly isn't for the faint-hearted!"

Andrew Bays, 15 from Potters Bar, attended as a member of Hertsmere's winning aquathlon team in the county's own 'Olympic Games' for young people earlier this year. He said: "I had a really good time. It was a great experience and a unique way of learning about the Olympics - an opportunity you don't get every day."

The tour also included the Lee Valley Athletics Centre in Edmonton where lots of GB athletes train.

The day was organised by Hertsmere Borough Council in conjunction with Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners , the county's official partnership organisation which supports the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and works towards securing a lasting legacy for the county.

A photo album of the day is available on our Facebook page