Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced that young athletes will have the opportunity to compete at four Olympic Park venues next year as part of the School Games Finals.

Announcing plans for the event at the Aquatics Centre, Hunt said it will mirror the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will also feature opening and closing ceremonies.

Around 1,600 young athletes will compete at the Olympic Stadium; the Aquatics Centre; the Velodrome; and ExCeL, with the School Games Finals scheduled for 6-9 May 2012.

Sport England will contribute £4m of National Lottery money and £2m of government cash towards the finals event, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust with LOCOG and Fast Track.

Hunt said: "It will be an unprecedented opportunity for our young athletes to run on the Olympic track before Usain Bolt, cut through the pool before Michael Phelps, and feel the speed of the Velodrome before Victoria Pendleton."

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