Well, who would have thought it! 4th in the table of Olympic medals! For those of you who, like me, have taken an interest in the Olympic Games over these past couple of weeks, the excitement of almost a daily medal for Team GB has been stimulating and has filled me with anticipation for 2012!

There seems to be a resurgence of national pride, as athletes spoke often about being inspired by their predecessors. They will, in turn, inspire others, including children and teenagers, who have their eye set on the next Olympic Games. In this way sporting achievements continue to abound and increase from one generation to another.

Above all the latest speculation there now seems to be about the amount of money that will have to be spent to get the 2012 Olympics up and running (excuse the pun!) and what the future of all the Olympic sites will be after 2012. I want to say WELL DONE to all our athletes. Give us time to focus for at least a few weeks on their achievements in winning, yes, but also on the achievement of all who took part before we are forced by media pressure to move on to the London Games.

It was great to see the Welsh and Scottish crowds out in the streets to welcome their heroes home and I look forward to October when London will show that same rapturous welcome.

So well deserved - with such an enormous amount of self-discipline and commitment for years, keeping in their sights the glory of competing and perhaps winning an Olympic medal.

St. Paul reminds us that we are in the race that is set before us, a race that represents our Christian journey where the prize for us is imperishable - that of eternal life.   There doesn't appear to be such an adrenalin rush associated with running our Christian race, with following Christ's example and getting alongside the vulnerable in our society.

Sad really - when we think that the influence for good that grows from such acts is more powerful - and often more demanding - than anything seen at an Olympic Games!

With warm greetings

                           Angela