I personally felt special pride in the achievements of the British cyclists. I have spent quite a lot of my adult life on a bike, commuting, training and even racing. I might even be bold enough to say I was – for a short time – quite fast. I still cycle almost every day for an hour or so.

I recall also my grandad, who was a passionate cyclist. As a child, I remember him at the top of steps, on his static bike, training for some event or other. When he died a few years ago, I discovered that he had served in the Army in Iraq during the Second World War, and even there he engaged in bike races – on the Basra road of all places (such a dangerous place now).

Later in life, I have helped to bring the best cyclists in the world to Britain in the Leeds Classic races, then in the Tour of Britain. I am currently working on bringing a six-day track cycling event for next year.

There are three things to say about cycling, and then some things about sport in general.

First, the country is far too dependent on motor cars. Most journeys we undertake are less than three miles. There would be less congestion, less fumes and our streets would be safer if we all took up cycling. Councils nowadays should use their planning and highways powers to make the roads safer.

Secondly, we are fatter and less fit than we were as a nation. This is going to make us all more unhealthy in the future. It will cost millions for the NHS – and that means us all paying more taxes to pay the bill. Everyone knows this.

While my grandad lived until he was about 90, my dad had continual heart problems. I took up the sport of cycling again in my early 30s so as to avoid the problems my dad was having.

Touching wood, I can say that, at 58, I have kept fit and avoided ill health as a result of cycling. If a busy MP like me can find the time to be active, then I am sure the rest of us can do the same.

Thirdly, I am absolutely certain that there are many more cycling, and, indeed, other sports champions, out there throughout Yorkshire and the country generally, waiting to be found.

Nowadays, sport has become a science and it is possible to identity the potential within us all while we are still at school. Champions can't be manufactured but they can be discovered, and I think the country would be a better place if young people's energy was directed into sporting achievement rather than into anti-social behaviour.

This brings me to the more general point which I want to make. I honestly believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things – like win Olympic gold medals – if they get a chance.

The problem we have as a country is that sport is now becoming a business where money talks rather than raw talent. Millions are being poured into English football, for example, but much of it goes to foreign players, and so we have the best premier division in the world but our national team is languishing.

The only answer is that the country must invest in sports, like cycling, and not rely purely on the profit motive which will distort our priorities.

For example, when I was leader of Leeds City Council, I began investing in cycling. I brought a major cycling event to Yorkshire which was seen on TV screens all over the world. I wanted to bring a velodrome to Leeds, but it went to Manchester.

These things cost taxpayers money, but at the end of the day they would have brought facilities, prestige and glamour to the Yorkshire grassroots. These actions were contentious. They were opposed by other politicians, and some members of the Press. Some might say such opposition was small-minded; others might say that I was spendthrift.

When I went off to London as an MP, these things stopped, and I believe that Yorkshire is the poorer as a consequence.

On the back of Olympics success, the Government must do more to assist sports development; schools sports need higher priority and
more adults could volunteer to assist their local community sports clubs.

Finally, I call once again on the Yorkshire community to build a sporting infrastructure to be proud of, to invest in the future. You never know, some child growing up in Bradford, Leeds
or Wakefield today may be waiting to be discovered and to become a gold medallist of tomorrow. Are we too tight-fisted and mean to deny them that opportunity?

Jon Trickett is the Labour MP for Hemsworth.