Even people who said they had no interest in sport, ended up on the edge of their seats cheering on a great British effort.

Now it's back to reality, and that means facing the fact that some of our athletes triumphed despite having next-to-no funding and the most basic of training facilities. Even the gym in Huntingdon which trained our own Louis Smith is having to appeal for public help in raising £4.5 million to enable it to provide the kind of facilities needed to hone the talents of Louis and others.

Expectations for the London games in 2012 are now high, but it is certain that nations which did not fare as well in China as expected will have vowed to do better next time too. The bar has been raised, and as the host nation British athletes should not be handicapped by being Cinderella competitors.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was delighted to welcome Team GB and its haul of medals home from Beijing, so hopefully the Government will now be committed to financial backing and support for our stars of tomorrow.

Kart blanche for a racing career
TALKING of stars, we would like to wish good luck to the city's young karting team of eight-year-old Abigail Taylor, and sisters Jade (11) and Amy Jean Smith (14). Three girls who feel the need for speed, obviously.