THE UK is a 'sporting superpower' according to several sporting pundits.

Second to the mighty USA, a person from outside of these islands might be forgiven for believing that Britain is the modern day Sparta.

However, a walk along any of Britain’s high streets shows a very different picture, with a predominantly overweight population where more than a quarter of adults and a staggering fifth of children are obese.

In fact Britain’s children are so fat that is estimated by many medical experts that in the next few decades life expectancy will fall for the first time since the early period of the Industrial Revolution.

It is true that elite Olympic sport is doing well, thanks to a huge £350 million grant per annum in National Lottery money, but meanwhile the rest of us plebs suffer the closure of swimming baths and leisure centres as well as school playing fields sold to property developers.

Moreover, the Government don’t care a monkey’s about the health of the nation as long as they can bask in the glory of Olympic medals.

As far they are concerned if millions of mostly working class people suffer from Type2 Diabetes and high blood pressure with resulting risk of heart attacks, strokes and preventable cancers then tough luck.

John Gilmore, Bishop Auckland

I STARTED the month with no interest in the 2016 Olympics.

How things changed as I admired the efforts and enjoyed the success of Team GB.

I felt there was a change in the attitude of competitors, coaches, back office staff and spectators.

No longer was taking part enough, we expected results and got them.

Hard work, dedicated coaching and science all played a part.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if as a nation we could hang onto these values and include them in other aspects of our daily life?

A competitive spirit, a will to win and investment in talent are the qualities this country will need as we set ourselves free from the shackles of Europe.

Timothy Wood, Guisborough