CHAMPION athlete Iwan Thomas took a break from his Olympic training schedule to launch the 23rd London Heathrow Youth Games this week.

Iwan, European and Commonwealth 400m gold medallist, passed on tips to youngsters from across the capital at an event at the Radio Cafe in central London.

Among the budding athletes present was 13-year-old Haringey schoolgirl Freine Sammon who is pictured with Iwan and BAA Heathrow director Jenny Bradley.

She will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of sports luminaries who have appeared at the games in the past such as Linford Christie, Steve Backley, John Regis and footballer Chris Bart-Williams who represented Haringey.

Teams from 33 boroughs will be taking part in 50 sports from female rugby to disabled athletics and even angling.

The first knockout phase begins on June 10 and the finals weekend will be held at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on July 8 and 9.

Iwan said: 'The BAA London Heathrow Youth Games offer young Londoners a great opportunity to start their sporting lives early.

'I'm sure that if there had been something like this around when I was younger, it would have given me a head start in developing my skills.'