A GOLD rush in Beijing has left Britons in an unusual position – celebrating real sporting success. And there are hopes the Olympic medal haul will bring positive results a bit closer to home. Cycling, sailing and rowing have led the way as Team GB held third place in the medals table. Jenni Horn reports

Rodney Kennison, president of Medway Velo, believes the cycling success – including a gold for Kent’s Jamie Staff will mean more people take up the sport.

He said: “I think its going to have a terrific effect.

“We have already had an influx of new members since the Tour de France came to Medway.

“We have had around 40 riders join this year and we are expecting numbers to continue to rise.

“The success on the Olympic track is going to do great things for cycling.”

Rodney said the Olympic team’s success had created a real buzz at the club, adding: “Everyone has been on the telephone.

“We are absolutely amazed.”

Michael Wallis, commodore of Medway Yacht Club, hopes Olympic success will dispel a few myths surrounding the sport.

He said: “This is such a shot in the arm for sailing. People think it is a rich man’s hobby and it is often overlooked.

“After the Olympics, hopefully people will see that with very little expense you can get on the water.

“I’m sure the success in Beijing will open a few doors and people will see that it is fun to sail.

“The wins have created a sense of euphoria at the club. I hope it will mean more attention is paid to sailing as a sport.”

Jim Beaney, chairman of the Medway Towns Rowing Club in Rochester, has already seen growing interest from potential new members.

He said: “We always see an increase in people coming to the club after major rowing events but this week we had six email inquiries in one day which is very unusual.

“To achieve success at Olympic standards you need clubs like ours as a base. We hope the Olympics will mean people will come along to the club and join in with the rowing.”

Medway’s 2012 team has been picking up a few tips for the next Games at this year’s event in Beijing.

Helen Cockersole, Medway Council’s deputy 2012 manager, was part of a team representing the South East to promote training camp facilities to all of the National Olympic Committees who attended the official launch of the London 2012 training camp guide.

The trip, organised by Visit Britain and the British Olympic Association, included a visit to Team GB’s training camp to see what Medway will need to deliver before 2012.

Miss Cockersole said: “We are serious about establishing Medway as a sporting destination and getting a slice of 2012 action, so we couldn’t miss this opportunity to witness a Games in action and to meet the decision-makers from the world’s Olympic committees.

“It was also amazing to see the scale of the Games in Beijing, and the excitement hosting the Olympics has generated in China. The success of the Beijing Games and of Team GB in particular has surely whetted the appetite for the 2012 Olympics on our doorstep.”

Team GB’s success will help to promote Medway’s efforts for London 2012, and there are high hopes some of the Towns’ elite young athletes will be part of the next Games.

Work at Medway Park, the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Black Lion Leisure Centre in Gillingham, is already well under way.

The development, described as a regional centre of sporting excellence, is one of five venues which have been approved by

the London 2012 organisers

as potential training sites for Olympic athletes in 2012.

The facilities will include an eight-lane athletics track, gymnastics centre, fitness suite, and sports therapy centre.

Bob Dimond, Medway Council’s 2012 manager, said: “Team GB’s successes will inspire young people to follow in their footsteps. It is important that we in Medway provide the facilities they will need to succeed.”

• If you are interested in taking up an Olympic sport, call Medway Council’s sports development team on 01634 338766.