THE national mood of weary cynicism extends, perhaps inevitably, to the Olympic Games that are due to be held in London in 2012.

One general criticism is that although the capital will benefit, there is little for the rest of the country to get excited about.

That is not necessarily so — contracts worth £6bn are up for grabs and firms in the North-west, including Bolton, are being encouraged to compete.

The chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, John Armitt CBE, was at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, recently to tell a regional audience about the opportunities available and how to get involved.

Watson Steel Structures Ltd at Lostock has already won a multi-million pound contract to create the steel structures for the Olympic stadium.

That has to be good for Bolton and it is to be hoped that — especially with a growing recession — more jobs can be secured or created if local companies follow the Watson example and bid successfully.

The North-west Regional Development Agency, an important body not greatly visible to the general public, is supporting businesses that want to get involved and is urging companies of all sizes to bid for contracts.

We have some promising young athletes who hope to do well in 2012.

They need not be the only winners.