Young leaders: Deborah Ayodele, Darren Harris of the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, Nikita Sunkari, Fallak Tabassum, Huong (Hally) Nguyen

Youngsters from Newham marked the end of two-year training programme designed to prepare them for roles at the Olympic Games.

A ceremony, hosted by Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, was held at the British Museum to celebrate their achievements.

Over the last two years, the leaders have volunteered for the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust at BP headquarters at Canary Wharf and have received leadership and job coaching to become ‘Games Makers’.

They were picked for the scheme on the basis that they were unlikely to have access to other such opportunities because of their social and economic status.

Hally Nguyen, 18, from Newham, was one of the young people to graduate at the ceremony.

She said: “London 2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have learned so much in the Young Leaders programme and really come out of my shell.

“During the Games I’ll be working in accreditation. I really look forward to meeting people from all over the world. Oscar Pistorius is a special hero of mine.”