London Youth Games – BMX 2018 The Event Hayes Hawks BMX Club hosted this year’s BMX event as a part of the London Youth Games, Europe’s biggest youth sport event. 222 young people from 20 London boroughs travelled to the West side of the city to compete for the beloved #1 BMX borough position. Temperatures soared to highs of 24 degrees and the racing was just as hot. Riders as young as six and seven competed on the day with the eldest category being 17-18 years old, with male and female categories for each age respectively. There was also a Wingz category – Wingz is inclusive BMX for disabled people. The Wingz BMX podium riders representing London boroughs of Croydon and Southwark, Lambeth Wingz rider and his coach celebrating their participation in the event. This was the rider’s first ever race! Boroughs Who Stood Out The competition saw a variety of ability levels competing against each other, with national ranked competitors and first-time racers transitioning from the Access Sport BMX Legacy Program’s BMX Outreach. Special mention must go to Camden borough and Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, whose team were made up completely of students who had engaged in BMX outreach supported by Access Sport. Camden’s team was comprised of students from Maria Fidelis in Euston, and RBKC’s team saw students from the relocated Kensington Aldridge Academy competing for the royal borough. KAA has had its school building temporarily relocated opposite Hammersmith BMX Track in Wormwood Scrubs, so have been taking full advantage of being so close to a BMX track. Both teams reached their highest placings to date, coming 9th and 8th respectively. Camden rider manoeuvring the BMX track, Riders snapping out of the BMX start gate, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea rider racing against a Redbridge borough rider Who Won? The winning borough on the day were Hillingdon, whose team consisted mostly of Hayes Hawks club riders who took full advantage of the competition occurring at their home track. Southwark came in a close 2nd while Lambeth finished in 3rd place. The day was enjoyed by all who took part! Thanks very much to all the volunteers from Hayes Hawks and each borough who helped the day run so smoothly. Also, thank you to the London Youth Games GamesForce volunteers! Hillingdon borough celebrating their #1 team victory, Southwark borough showing off their 2nd place medals, Lambeth borough celebrating their 3rd place finish Photo credits - GamesForce Volunteer Photographer, Kay