The London Olympics have been a great success for TeamGB across a wide array of sports. Their goal to win 'more medals from more sports' will surely be realised with success coming in sports from boxing, sailing, dressage, cycling, swimming and athletics to name just a few.
Undoubtedly one of the most memorable nights of London 2012 was the middle Saturday when TeamGB won 3 Gold medals in a wonderful 40 minute period - the closure on Jess Enis's amazing heptathlon, the slightly surprising long jump success of Greg Rutherford, and then the total domination by Mo Farrah in a proper running race - the 10,000m.
Our country has not had much success in long distance running in recent years, and Mo may well go on to great success in longer events such as the marathon. But will that Gold medal 'inspire a generation' of runners? He may well win another medal tonight in the 5,000m but he is a lonely figure bringing success to TeamGB in long distance running. Especially since the disappointing run of injuries to Paula Radcliffe.
We have all enjoyed watching the diversity of sporting achievement throughout the last 2 weeks, and we have revelled in the amazing performance of the home athletes. There is no doubt that interest in so many sports will soar in the coming weeks and months, and we sincerely hope that the infrastructure can support and maintain that increased participation.
We just hope that the athletics clubs will see the same spike in membership, especially as we get through the summer and into the less glamorous period of cross-country running, cold, dark and wet track nights, and not an athlete in sight on the TV to keep one going. There is of course the Great North Run in the autumn which again stirs up interest in running. But that is not the type of event or motivation that 10 year olds need to get started.