The countdown continues towards the greatest sporting spectacle there is, with London now less than three months away from welcoming the world’s sporting elite.

The Olympics are just around the corner and having had the chance to visit the Olympic Park in Stratford today, it all suddenly feels a lot more real.

London was awarded the 2012 Games close to seven years ago – a drop in the ocean compared to a lifetime but amid the sense of celebration back then, the period we have had to wait seemed like an eternity.

Visiting the Stratford venue for the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games gave an insight of what to expect this summer, a demonstration of the Olympic values – Friendship, Respect and Excellence.

All of those competing gave it their all and there were handshakes and hugs aplenty at the finish line. There were titles defended, new champions crowned and records smashed.

The venues themselves are hugely impressive. The sheer scale of the Aquatics Centre has to be seen to be believed, while the Velodrome is an elite facility.

As for the showpiece stadium, the athletics venue offers fantastic views of the action from wherever you find your seat.

And speaking of action, there were some impressive displays from our own east London contingent. Orion Harriers sprinter Jermaine Hamilton set a new Games Record of 21.37 when he claimed gold in the 200m, while Woodford Green with Essex Ladies’ Joseph Dewar leapt 6.71m to pick up a silver medal in the long jump.

The curtain came down on the event in a suitably stylish manner, with a captivating display in the Basketball Arena. Former Britain’s Got Talent winners Spellbound performed while triple jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards spoke to the crowd.

It was an appropriate finale to a fine competition. The School Games are of course on a much smaller scale than what we will experience in the summer, but it is another stepping stone in the process. What better way to warm up for the 2012 Games than by watching the stars of tomorrow?