The teenagers ran Boris Johnson through their work with Olympic legacy planners, which included helping to create family-focused neighbourhoods and visitor attractions they would like to see on the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The Panel, made up of around 30 young people aged between 13 and 21 years old from the six Olympic host boroughs, was set up by the Olympic Park Legacy Company to help shape the legacy plans to develop and animate the Park over the next 25 years.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“It was heartening to meet such an enthusiastic group of young people such as the Legacy Youth Panel and share in their experiences and future ambitions for East London. The Games will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Londoners and this is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to help shape their own legacy for generations to come. The Olympic Park is changing the landscape of East London and it would be a tragedy if its future citizens were not driving that transformation.”

Panel member, Yuan Chen, 17, from Newham, said:

“It was amazing to have the chance to meet the Mayor of London and to discuss with him our plans and ideas on what the Legacy Youth Panel would like to see on the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It was a fantastic opportunity to present the projects we have worked on, give our views and ask the Mayor questions about the future plans for the Park and the local area.”

Panel member, Shabaz Hussain, 16, from Waltham Forest, said:

“Meeting the Mayor of London has been an invaluable experience as it has given the Legacy Youth Panel a chance to voice and share our opinions and ideas on the plans for the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This is one way in which young people from the host boroughs can take an active role in helping shape the legacy of the Games and securing the future of the place we live.”

Panel member, Zosia Eyres, 17, from Greenwich, said:

“As a Legacy Youth Panel member, I thought it was extremely valuable to have the chance to meet the Mayor of London as it enabled us to discuss the issues that are important to young people and ensure that they are heard by someone who has the power to make a real change.”

Panel member, Firdaus Yusuf, 15, from Hackney, said:

“It was great meeting the Mayor and getting the chance to ask him questions. He was so passionate about the Games and London as a whole. He was extremely proud that young people, like myself, are interested in the future of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Overall, the meeting was fun and enjoyable and I feel that we were able to make a real difference.”