Team GB enjoyed a games that will live long in the memory, carrying home 47 medals, of which a staggering 19 were gold.

With London gearing up to host the 2012 games the buzz surrounding the Olympics has never been greater.

Now Leeds has an opportunity to make the most of the spotlight switching from China to Britain.

The city is striving to put itself at the centre of our country's Olympic ambitions.

Gold medal-winning Leeds swimmer Adrian Moorhouse has been brought in to promote the city as an ideal training base for teams coming to England to compete in the games.

With its updated facilities, it is well-placed to attract athletes from far and wide to get ready for London.

It would be fantastic if we were to find ourselves home to some of the world's top sportsmen and women over the next few years.

The 2012 Olympics represent a fantastic opportunity for cities such as Leeds.

Now we just have to make sure we follow Team GB's example and strike gold.



Knife menace

A DAD could have died after opening his door to knife-wielding maniac Daniel Whitaker.

The 25-year-old threatened to slit Mark Fairclough's throat before his victim's daughter begged him to stop.

Whitaker was acting out of misguided loyalty to the family he was living with who had become involved in a neighbours' spat.

Now he is where he belongs – behind bars.

Yet it is chilling to think that Whitaker had only been released from prison two months earlier after being jailed for an earlier stabbing.

One can only wonder at the decision process that allowed this clearly dangerous man to be let loose on an unsuspecting public.

It is only by chance that his latest victim is alive today.

Whitaker has now been told he must serve three-and-a-half years before applying for parole.

We trust that when that time comes those tasked with deciding Whitaker's fate think long and hard before releasing him from his cell.



Brave soldier

FAMILY and friends of Leeds soldier Wayne Bland wept as they paid a final farewell yesterday.

The 21-year-old was killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan earlier this month.

At times like this it is hard to find words of comfort for Wayne's loved ones. But at least they can feel pride in knowing he died a hero, one who was doing his duty and serving his country with courage.

Rest in peace, Wayne.