Rio de Janeiro has just been selected to hold the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, beating Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago.

I expected this decision, mainly because South America has never held the Olympics before. Madrid really had little chance of winning- with Athens in 2004 and London in 2012, Europe would be getting more than its fair share. Chicago was my second choice. I never had high hopes for Tokyo- the BBC said the city lacked the ambition, with only 56% of residents in favour.

So that's 2016. Of course before then we've got the big one. The 2012 games to be held in our capital! And even better, the rowing events will be held in our very county! Dorney Lake, near Windsor (it is in Bucks, before anyone says anything!) will be the centre of Olympic and Paralympic attention for at least a day.

Stoke Mandeville too has an great link to the Paralympics, holding what is now regarded as a precursor to the Paralympics in 1948.

Are you looking forward to the Olympics coming to London? Or are you not convinced that it's worth all the bother? It'd be great to hear some views.

© Oliver Newbury MMIX