By Josh Richards

GREENWICH youngsters Jamie Grover and Adam Bien were the toast of the town after impressing at the recent Thames Water London Youth Games regatta.

More than 700 entrants from across 31 boroughs locked horns across four sports at London Docklands, with St Paul’s Academy pupil Grover claiming kayak slalom gold and Globe Rowing Club member Bien taking coxed doubles bronze in the rowing.

The pair, who were representing the Borough of Greenwich followed in the footsteps of former London Youth Games attendees Rio Ferdinand, Christine Ohuruogu and Bradley Wiggins by catching the eye at Europe’s largest annual youth sports event.

“It was a really amazing day and I had a great time competing,” said 13-year-old Grover.

“It took a lot of hard work but I really enjoyed myself. The race went well and I hope it was a good result. I definitely enjoyed myself.

“I don’t know if I could turn pro with this amount of hard work, but it was definitely worth it to win.”

The performances of Grover and 17-year-old Bien didn’t go unnoticed by former London Youth Games competitor and Olympic rowing gold medallist Mark Hunter.

The Brit, who won his country’s first-ever lightweight Olympic rowing medal alongside Zac Purchase in Beijing in 2008, is convinced the London Youth Games will continue to uncover future Team GB gold medallists.

“It was fantastic to see all the kids down at the regatta competing and having fun,” said Hunter. “It’s great for kids to be competing in the different boroughs and to introduce them to sports and to get them involved.

“And who knows, I could have seen another Olympic champion out there on the water.”

In 2008, Thames Water played a pivotal part in making the Regatta a permanent feature at the London Youth Games and has committed to support it until 2013.