I love the Olympics. I hate the Olympics.

I love it because every four years a new star is born. This year it has to be US gymnast, Simone Biles, the woman is phenomenal.

I love the joy and despair as athletes who have worked for years towards this moment either fulfil their dream or fall short having given it their best.

For me the Olympics means Allan Wells, Seb Coe, Daley Thompson, Fatima Whitbread, Michael Johnson, Ed Moses, Sean Kerley and the men’s hockey, Liz McColgan, Kelly Holmes, Rebecca Addlington, Michael Jamieson, Jess Ennis-Hill, and the greatest three of the lot Carl Lewis, Usain Bolt and Mo Farah.

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I hate it because of the drug cheats, the corruption riven, non-sporting, political element and the eye watering sums of money exchanged while poverty is ignored on its doorstep.

Some people have a problem with the growing amount of cash spent on elite sport in Britain and so do I.

I don’t question the amount. You could double it and I would applaud rather than criticise, but I question the distribution.

The aim is to invest to win medals, Golds in particular.

In that respect it has been a success. Ever since Atlanta 1996 the amount of cash has increased and so has the number of Golds.

The Olympics was intended to be more about taking part than winning so I would like the measurement of success to be participation.

I don’t want to deny Jason Kenny or Laura Trott the opportunity to go for Gold in cycling, far from it, but I would like everyone in their chosen sport to have the same opportunity.

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In that respect access is crucial. We have a wonderful new velodrome and arena in the east end but how accessible is it for kids in the area, one of the poorest in the country, or even for kids in other parts of the city where distance as well as finance is an issue.

This summer it cost £10.30 for a three hour session in the velodrome for kids. The athletics boot camp was £80 for a three day package.

Britain has put a disproportionate amount of money into track cycling because it was identified as a sport where Golds were achievable.

Only 36 countries are taking part and 17 of those have only three or fewer riders, Britain has 16.

The Olympics does inspire children, who are never going to be champions, to get into sport. I was one of them.

So let’s harness it for the wider good and not just a few Golds every four years.

In the original ancient Olympic tradition, education and physical activity were inextricably linked.

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So how about adopting the practice of other countries where one afternoon a week, say Wednesday, is sports time in schools.

Those who want competitive sport get the qualified coaching and those who don’t get other forms of equally useful, enjoyable exercise.

It will boost sport, improve health and help with the Scottish Government’s stated aim of increasing attainment.

That would merit a Gold medal.