Solihull must rise to Olympic challenge

3.11.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Jul 2005

Solihull's Lib Dem MP, Lorley Burt has hailed the success of the London bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

She said that the prospect of the games will act as an inspiration for young people in Solihull and nationwide to get more involved in sport.

"Any young person who dreams of winning a gold medal will be inspired by the prospect of competing in their own country in 2012. But we must now grasp this opportunity to improve sports funding a sporting facilities in Solihull and across the West Midlands region to meet that aspiration," said Lorely Burt.

"All potential Olympic sportsmen and women need Olympic class facilities to train and compete, and yet there is only one, crumbling 50m competition pool in Coventry for swimmers from our area. No money is on offer from the Department of Culture Media and Sport for new facilities in the region, and the £7.5m of lottery money currently earmarked would barely pay for one leisure centre!"

"Having won the bid, the government should now ensure that the regions as well as London are able to benefit. Increased participation in sport and sporting excellence will lead to a healthier, more confident nation. Sport also helps to bring people closer together and goodness knows, we need to take every opportunity we can in these difficult times," added Mrs Burt.

ENDS