What six young Londoners think of Olympics

Up for the Games: Bardhi Bunjaku, 12, Kion James, 13, Mwamba Bokula, 12, Juann Dwyer, 13, Mahdi Ahmed, 12, and Tia Lewis, 14, of Burlington Danes Academy in Hammersmith, in front of the Olympic site
Dolly Alderton5 April 2012

Children have been learning about the 2012 Games and how it affects London. Last week, Hammersmith school Burlington Danes Academy booked a tour around the Olympics site for a group of their pupils to see the buildings. Dolly Alderton joined them on their trip to find out what young Londoners think about the Olympics.

Bardhi Bunjaku, 12, Shepherd's Bush

What do you think of the buildings you have seen today?

All the buildings are very impressive. Building all the different venues has cost a lot of money, but from what I have seen so far it will be worth it. We have the best athletes in the world coming to our city and it's a good idea to make the best environment we can for them. After the Games, I think the constructions will all continue to look really smart and perhaps they will build on them even more.

What will the legacy of the Games be for London?

I think that most importantly, Londoners will remember the joy that they felt when such a big event took place in their city. Personally, I am very excited that this is happening in the place where I live.

Kion James, 13, East Acton

Do you think the Olympics are a good thing for London?

I do. It will bring tourists into the city and they will be spending money. This will boost the economy which will improve the quality of our lives. I also think the city will be cleaned up even more in preparation for the Games.

Would you ever return to the Olympic Park?

Definitely. After the Olympics finish, Londoners can visit the site. We can also use the facilities, so I will practise biking and swimming here. Hopefully, young Londoners will use this area to improve their skills and then be good enough to compete in the next Games.

Mwamba Bokula, 12, White City

Who are you looking forward to seeing compete?

Usain Bolt because he is my inspiration. He doesn't give up easily and he puts his all into his work. His country is proud of him, so are his fans and so am I. It's my dream to run in the Olympics. I do 100m sprint training twice a week and I hope that one day I will be in his shoes.

Where will you be watching the Olympics?

I wish I could watch the athletics in the flesh but it looks like I'm going to have to watch it from home. It would be amazing to see my heroes live in action but I hear tickets are very expensive. Even though I'll be watching it on the TV, it's an important event so we will have our family round and have a barbecue.

Juann Dwyer, 13, White City

Do you know how much money the Olympics are costing?

Yes - it's costing £9.3 billion, we were told at school. I think it's important that we all know how much our country is spending on it. It is a lot of money but I think it will be worth it.

What do you think of the buildings you have seen today?

I was in total shock when I saw the stadium - I can't believe how big it is. They have worked so hard to get so many huge venues up in time for the Games. Everyone has always thought that London was a special city, but I think the Olympics will prove this all the more. When it is all finished, people from around the world will want to visit the Olympics Park and see the site where all the amazing events took place. I think it's the most exciting event in the world.

Mahdi Ahmed, 12, White City

Have you got tickets?

I don't know anyone who has got tickets to go to the Olympics. I think they're quite hard to get hold of and very expensive. I imagine one ticket would cost at least £10,000. I think people would have been planning what tickets they wanted to get before they were even available.

What event would you like to see?

I'd really like to go and watch the table tennis - I play it a lot at school and I think I'm quite good. I am still hoping I might get a ticket but if I don't, it's not the end of the world. I will watch it at home with all of my family.

Tia Lewis, 14, Brent

Have you got tickets?

I've got tickets for the gymnastics and I'm going with my whole gymnastics club. I try to practise for about 14 hours a week at the leisure centre and I want to be an Olympic coach when I grow up. I'm excited about watching Beth Tweddle, she is one of the best gymnasts in the world and is known for being really good at the bars. I hope that by watching people like her compete in the Olympics, I can learn from their techniques and become a better gymnast.

What legacy will this leave for London?

In the past, east London was known for all its crime. Holding the Olympics here means people will forget about its old reputation and will remember it for holding one of the most exciting events in the world. Tourists and families will want to come here and it will become a much better place.

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