Yuan Chen, 18, Legacy Youth Panel member 2010
Something extraordinary I will never forget
My part in the event began with meeting the Chair of the Legacy Company, Baroness Ford, and Chief Executive, Andy Altman. I then met with Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary [sic], and MP Bob Neil, as they arrived to give their speeches for the morning session. It was a little daunting being the youngest speaker, but the encouragement from all the adults and Legacy Company made the whole experience very enjoyable and memorable. Particularly exciting was discovering the Park’s name after the 2012 Games! Not only this, the speeches were real eye-openers to all the exciting changes planned for the Park, especially seeing these plans realised virtually in a CGI film during the presentation sessions.
I then attended the press Q&A session, feeling very lucky I wasn’t at the receiving end of all the questions from a room packed full of reporters and cameras. The interviews continued to the breathtaking views of London on the 34th floor of the BT Tower. There I was interviewed by Chinese reporters from the Global Times and China Daily, a sports magazine and a French newspaper. I gave my speech again during the second session after lunch with the Legacy Company, and finished the eventful day with a final trip again to the spectacular views of the 34th floor.
Being the final speaker in front of so many key officials supporting the legacy of the Park is something extraordinary that I will never forget. All the positive feedback from guests and the Legacy Company, and the Mayor’s commitment to the legacy plans, gave me a boost of confidence during the day. I was really thrilled the Legacy Youth Panel had a major feature throughout the event and is being involved in such a major milestone in the legacy plans.
Yuan Chen, 18, Greenwich
Legacy Youth Panel member 2010
For further information on the Youth Panel and how to get involved,
please contact the Legacy Company with the subject line ‘Legacy Youth Panel’.