Famous sport stars begin journey at London Youth Games

Great Britain's Bradley Wiggins with his gold medal. Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Archiv

Since the launch of the London Youth Games in 2009, 24 former London Youth Games competitors have gone on to world-class sporting careers, taking their place in the London Youth Games Hall of Fame.

The list features some the UK's greatest sportspeople of the last three decades including London 2012 superstars Bradley Wiggins, David Weir and Mo Farah.

Here are some of the most familiar faces:

  • Bradley Wiggins - Cycling

Represented Westminster in cycling at the London Youth Games. He is the only British cyclist ever to win the Tour de France, triumphing in 2012.

He is also one of Britain's greatest ever Olympic athletes, having won seven Olympic medals including four gold from 2000-2012. Winner of 11 World Champs medals, including six gold, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

  • Joanna Rowsell - Cycling

First represented Sutton at the 2004 London Youth Games, where she helped the borough to silver in the cycling. Since then, it has been a golden journey.

Winner of gold in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics, she has also won gold at three World Championships and one European Championships. Inducted in 2012.

  • Steve Backley - Javelin

Competed for Bexley as a youngster at the London Youth Games. Twice broke the javelin world record and is the only British track and field athlete to have won medals at three successive Olympic Games.

Winner of nine further major championship medals, including four European gold. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and hosted the 2011 & 2012 ceremonies.

  • Linford Christie - Sprinter

Competed at the first ever London Youth Games in 1977 for Hammersmith & Fulham where he was only selected for the relay.

One of the most successful British athletes of all-time, becoming the only man to simultaneously hold the Olympic, World, European, Commonwealth 100m titles. Winner of 24 major championship medals, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

  • Tasha Danver - Hurdles

Competed for Croydon in athletics at the London Youth Games. As a 400m hurdler, she won silver at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games; inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

  • Mo Farah - Distance Runner

Represented Hounslow in cross country at the London Youth Games, placing 9th in the 1994 under 13s race. Made history by winning double gold in the 10,000m and 5000m at the 2012 Olympic Games.

He won 5000m gold and 10,000m silver at the 2011 World Championships and is a multiple European champion. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Great Britain's Mo Farah with his gold medal after winning the Men's 5,000 metres Credit: Dave Thompson/PA Archive

  • David Weir - Paralympic wheelchair

One of his first ever athletics competitions was in the colours of Sutton at the London Youth Games. He is one of the greatest Paralympic athletes of all-time.

In wheelchair racing, he has won ten Paralympic medals a from 2004-2012 including six gold. He attained iconic status with quadruple gold at London 2012. Six times London Marathon winner was inducted in 2010.

  • Rio Ferdinand - Footballer

Competed for Southwark in gymnastics at the London Youth Games. But it is in football, where he made his name. As of November 2012, he had won nine major trophies, including five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2007/08 where he was captain.

Has captained England on several occasions; inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

  • Mark Hunter - Rowing

Represented Havering at the London Youth Games, where he took part in some of his early rowing competitions.

Has enjoyed a stellar international career in the lightweight double sculls with partner Zac Purchase, including winning 2008 Olympic gold, 2012 Olympic silver and World Championship gold medals in 2010 and 2011. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.