8:39am Friday 3rd September 2010
By Gavin Havery
A FOUR-DAY mini Olympic Games giving young people the experience of a major sporting tournament is under way in the North-East.
Children from the region’s schools launched the Sainsbury’s UK School Games at The Sage Gateshead yesterday.
More than 1,600 young athletes from around the country are competing in ten events.
Olympic relay champion Darren Campbell, who won a gold medal in Athens 2004, said the event was good preparation for future sporting careers.
He said: “This is a vital way to give talented young people an opportunity to come and be competitive and sample what it may be like if they are fortunate enough one day to compete in a Commonwealth, or even maybe an Olympic, games.
“It is set out like they are all in a village together and they have to learn with different personalities and egos.
“They have to learn to manage their time and nutrition because they have to be ready for their competition the next day.
“These are aspects of becoming a top sports person that no one ever sees or knows about, but they are essential if they are going to excel.”
The launch event, by children from Gateshead, known as Dance Bites, was a contemporary dance performance inspired by the ten sports represented in the games.
Dora Frankle, artistic director of Dora Frankle Dance, who choreographed the performance, said: “The idea was to create a cultural event that would mix dance and sport.
“The children were absolutely wonderful, worked really hard and really concentrated.
“They did their best and looked marvellous.”
The opening ceremony for the games, which were launched in 2006 by the Youth Sports Trust, took place last night at Gateshead International Stadium, hosted by BBC Sports presenter Jill Douglas.
The events over the next few days include cycling, athletics, badminton, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, swimming, table tennis and volleyball, with disabled events in swimming, athletics and table tennis.
Carol Bell, head of culture and media events at Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: “This is a great opportunity to bring a multi-sports event to the region to take place in excellent sporting facilities.
“We can showcase the region and attract visitors in the future.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/