'Don't miss golden chance' (From Warrington Guardian)

'Don't miss golden chance'

A BRITISH Olympics would help under-funded sports to compete for longer against multi-million-pound businesses such as football.

Cyclist Emma Davies, who competed at the Games in Athens, said London 2012 could leave a lasting legacy for the country.

"I think if you look at any country that's hosted one, their sporting prowess has improved," she said.

"It kick starts the nation and gives youngsters something to aim at."

She said sports such as athletics, sailing and cycling received extra publicity during an Olympic Games, which encouraged more youngsters to get involved. But Miss Davies, 26, of Lower Peover, believes the hype created in Britain by an overseas event is short-lived.

She said lesser-known sports in Britain would substantially benefit only if the Olympics came to Britain.

"It would lift the whole nation," she said. "We've not had one for such a long time.

"I think if you look at Manchester and the Commonwealth Games, swimming and athletics have benefited from that."

London last hosted the Games in 1948 - just three years after the end of the Second World War. Last week the International Olympic Committee arrived in Britain to assess the city's chance of hosting the event again in seven years.

The evaluation commission met Tony Blair and attended a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace during the four-day inspection.

Other cities in line for hosting the Games include Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow.

London has been criticised for its public transport problems and residents' lack of confidence in the Olympic bid.

But Miss Davies, who missed out on a medal in Athens, said people should not doubt the country's ability to compete with other nations. "The Greeks weren't very supportive of Athens and very suddenly it all turned around," she said.

"There's nothing like competing in front of your home nation."

If the Olympics came to London a new state-of-the-art cycling centre would be built in east London to seat 6,000 spectators.

Miss Davies said her sport, which currently has just two professional training complexes in Manchester and Newport, would prosper.

"I don't know whether I'll still be going by then, but it might be the incentive I need," she said.

The International Olympic Committee will announce which city will host the 2012 Games on July 6.

amac@guardiangrp.co.uk