HUNDREDS of sporty school children flexed their muscles for the top spots at the 10th annual Mini Olympics.

More than 800 primary seven pupils from 22 primary schools in the East End competed in a range of athletics events at the Emirates Arena.

They took part in the 60m sprint, long jump, javelin, shot putt and many other events collecting a total of 90 medals, including prizes for sportsmanship and certificates for participating at the FARE Mini Olympics.

This was the first time the event had been held in the Emirates Arena, which has hosted top sporting competitions including the British Athletics International Match, the Northern European gymnastics and World Cup gymnastics, and will host the badminton at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Last year it was held at the Kelvin Hall in the West End.

Garrowhill Primary School's A-team won the overall prize, and St Timothy's Primary won the Bob Holman Award for sportsmanship.

The Mini Olympics is organised by the charity Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse (FARE), in partnership with Glasgow Housing Association.

It aims to allow the young pupils to meet each other before they move on to secondary school and to encourage active lifestyles.

GHA's north east area director Andy Ashcroft officially opened the event and presented the medals to the winning youngsters at the end of the day.

He said: "We are always keen to encourage youngsters from our communities to get fit by taking part in sport and the Mini Olympics is a great way of doing that – particularly with the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow next year.

"I was really impressed with the enthusiasm of the children throughout the day.

"They were a credit to their schools.

"I would like to thank the children, teachers, schools and FARE for making it a great day."

FARE organised the first Mini Olympics at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall in 2004 to coincide with the Athens Olympic Games.

Jimmy Wilson, FARE services manager, said: "The Mini Olympics is a great day out.

"There is always a competitive edge to it, but it's about integrating the young people before they move on to secondary school and making sure they have an enjoyable day regardless of sporting ability.

"We were delighted to be able to use the magnificent Emirates Arena for the first time too – it gave everyone a real buzz."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk