Hundreds take part in youth games

Olympic swimming hopeful Gregor Tait was at the event

A host of Scottish sports stars have teamed up to lend their support to Edinburgh's biggest youth games event.

Olympic swimming hopefuls Gregor Tait, Kris Gilchrist and Kirsty Balfour kicked off the 2008 Edinburgh Airport Youth Games.

This year's event is the biggest in its nine year history, with more than 1,600 youngsters from nearly 50 schools in the capital taking part.

Gymnastics display team The Spartans also joined the pre-Games warm up.

The Youth Games, supported by Edinburgh Leisure, includes athletics, basketball, football, golf, hockey, rugby and tennis.

Scottish rugby players David Callum and Craig Hamilton also touched down at the Games for the afternoon cool down session.

They are a real inspiration to the sports stars of the future, and help to drive home the importance of keeping fit and participation in sport Kevin Lang BAA Scotland

Double Commonwealth champion Gregor Tait said: "We've got the excitement and challenge of Beijing coming up, then the 2012 Olympics in London and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after that.

"This is Scotland's chance to really promote our sporting talent and it's great to see so many young people energised by sport at events like this."

Kevin Lang, BAA Scotland head of communications, said: "We're delighted to be able to support what is a great day of fitness and fun for hundreds of local children.

"We're celebrating this being an Olympic year and it's fantastic to have three of Scotland's hopefuls for Beijing here.

"They are a real inspiration to the sports stars of the future, and help to drive home the importance of keeping fit and participation in sport."

Neil Brown, Edinburgh Leisure director of customer services, said: "The ethos of the games is as much about participation as it is about competition and so, hopefully, the success of the day will encourage some of the 1,600-plus participants to take up a new sport or activity - and to adopt a healthier, happier lifestyle."