Caborn, who is president of the UK School Games, which were founded in 2006 when he was Sports Minister, said: "I would love it if we could hold it as a test event for 2012.

 

"By 2012 the UK School Games could be as big as the Commonwealth Games and I want the youngsters to be able to use the same facilites as where gold medals will be won.

 

"It would be something that they would never forget."

 

Steven Grainger, the chief executive of the Sports Youth Trust, who organise the UK School Games, backed Caborn's call.

 

He told insidethegames: "We understand there would be logistical problems but it would be a fantastic opportunity."

 

There are currently nine sports on the programme of the UK School Games with up to 1,500 youngsters taking part.

 

They are athletics, badminton, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, swimming, table tennis and volleyball.

 

That allow Olympic organisers to have a dry-run in six different facilities as several of the sports are sharing the venue at ExCel.

 

There is a precedent as during the build-up to the Sydney 2000 Olympics the New South Wales Schools Championships were held in the main stadium as one of the test events.

 

Failing the UK School Games being able to use the facilities before the Games, Caborn is hoping that London 2012 will allow them to use them after the Paralympics have been staged there.

 

Caborn said: "I just want the youngsters to be able to say they have experienced taking part in the UK School Games and competed in the same stadium that held the Olympics.

 

"That would be a fabulous legacy of the 2012 Olympics and one that many people could be involved in."

 

A spokeswoman for London 2012 said: "We are committed to holding test events at all our Olympic venues.

"We are looking at our test event strategy and plans now - but it's too early too make firm decisions."

 

This year's UK School Games, the third, is due to take place in Bath and Bristol.