The government has been accused of squandering the legacy of the 2012 London Olympics after new figures revealed that only a tiny fraction of 16-18-year-olds from poorer backgrounds are doing sport in schools.

208 students who qualified for free school meals took PE A Level in the last academic year, according to government data - just 1.1 per cent of all A Level students who qualify for free school meals. The figure is significantly less than the 3.3 per cent of all A Level students who take PE.

Boris Johnson, the new prime minister, made the perceived success of the London games, which he oversaw as mayor of the capital, a key theme of his campaign to be Tory leader.

But Labour said the Conservatives had "damaged" the legacy of the games.

The new figures, obtained through a parliamentary question from Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader and the shadow culture minister, were released on the seventh anniversary of the start of the 2012 Olympics.

The games were supposed to have a lasting legacy by boosting the number of children doing sport in schools. However, the number of students taking PE A Level has dropped significantly since then, from 14,392 students in 2011/12 to 9,802 in 2017/18.

In total, 9,802 students took A Level PE last year, meaning the 208 students eligible for free school meals accounted for just 2.1 per cent of them.

Labour said sport in schools had become even more important in the context of other sports facilities having been sold off in recent years. The party said 2,488 school grass pitches and 677 public tennis courts had been lost since 2010.

Mr Watson said: “The public had high hopes that the 2012 London Olympics would leave a lasting legacy, but because of the regressive policies of successive Tory governments, poorer students are still missing out.

“The Olympics inspired millions of children and young people, so it is a deep disappointment that participation in sport is still reserved for the few.

“Boris Johnson is desperate to claim credit for the Olympic Games, but it is clear that his party has damaged and done a great disservice to their legacy.”

The London 2012 Olympics in numbers Show all 13 1 /13 The London 2012 Olympics in numbers The London 2012 Olympics in numbers GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 4

Billion viewers expected for the opening ceremony on 27 July. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 9.58

100m world record for Usain Bolt to target. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 30

Bridges being built to help spectators cross rivers and railways around the Olympic Park. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 65

Percentage of male bids for beach volleyball tickets, which will take place at Horse Guards Parade. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 302

Medal events at the Olympic Games. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 532

Floodlights installed at the Olympic Stadium, so that it is bright enough for HD cameras. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 625

Millions of pounds Londoners will contribute to the staging of the Olympics. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 2012

Price in pounds of the most expensive ticket for the opening ceremony. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 8000

Size of Boris Johnson's 'Olympic Army', to help visitors make the most of London. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 12000

Spaces in the two park and ride sites, 25 minutes from the Olympic site. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 17320

Beds in the Olympic village, the most spacious in Olympic history. GETTY IMAGES The London 2012 Olympics in numbers 20000

Journalists covering the Olympics. GETTY IMAGES

A government spokesperson said: "We have been consistently clear that being physically active delivers a range of physical and social benefits to pupils, which is why PE remains a compulsory subject at all four key stages in the national curriculum.