Team Camden called on help from Islington Cycling Club to field a side in the road races. Pictured, from left: Jaime Keane, Jonathan Cobb, Guillem Revilla-Zanichelli and Nathanael Cobb, with team manager Brad Cobb

THERE was medals, music and a whole lot of team spirit over the weekend as talented young athletes from across the capital descended upon Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to take part in a multi-sports extravaganza marking the end of the 2022/23 London Youth Games season.

More than 5,000 youngsters representing all 33 London boroughs flocked to the two-day showpiece, competing in a wide range of events ranging from athletics, basketball and cycling, to hockey, swimming and table tennis.

Team Camden was well represented in the Youth Games athletics, naming a squad that included young athletes from the Highgate Harriers. Pictured, from left: Rowan Court, Idriss Mohammed-Mariche, Sasha Cean-White, Rachel Tugendhat, Maisha Middleditch and Chloe Trunkfield

Team Camden added another medal to their overall tally thanks to Sam Jones, who scooped an individual silver in the aquathlon – a challenging, two-stage race that starts with swimming followed by an energy-sapping run.

Nihal Rahman (left) won silver in the 100m at the ParaGames athletics. Camden’s Sam Jones (right) scooped a silver medal in the aquathlon

Insisting that any medals were “an added bonus”, team manager Ben Dorsett, who works for Camden Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Service, said: “Of course, it’s always great to see young athletes winning medals for the borough, but our overall goal is to get as many young people as possible enjoying competitive sport for Team Camden.

The aquathlon squad that took on a challenging swim and a run in Stratford. Pictured, from left: Benoit Danzin, Pip Jones, Sam Jones and Heath Robin

“Since the Games got underway back in November we’ve seen countless kids trying out various sports for the first time, and having fun while meeting and competing against young people from other boroughs, which is what it’s all about. I want to thank all of the coaches, volunteers, parents and, of course, our athletes for the hard work they have put in this season.”

Ping-pong duo Ruben Michaud and Zhengxuan Xi, who go to University College School in Hampstead

Dubbed Europe’s largest annual multi-sports celebration, the London Youth Games also incorporates the School Games and the ParaGames.

Team Camden also enjoyed plenty of success in the ParaGames last month, where star swimmer Tom Barnard, who lives in Kentish Town, struck gold in the 25m front crawl.

Nnene Ukpong (left) won three bronze medals. Tom Barnard (right) struck gold in the front crawl

Regent High School pupils Nihal Rahman and Nnene Ukpong were also both among the medal winners. Competing in track and field, Nihal secured a silver medal in the 100m, while Nnene bagged bronze medals in the 100m, the long jump and the shot put.