News that Team GB will be based at Loughborough University in the build up to the 2012 Games in London obviously came as no suprise to me today as I have been working between the University and the BoA for the last few years. It is fantastic news and testimony to all the hard work put in by a few key players with vision in Loughborough over the last decade. Loughborough has become a world class sports base. As somebody who is 'sport mad' it has been the perfect compliment - a sport mad MP representing a world class sports base. I have been proud to champion the University all over the world and to work inside government to bring the necessary investment. None of this has happened by accident.

However, I am really aware that Loughborough is more than just sport. Having worked to bring the Energy Technology Institute and knowing our engineering is regarded by industry as some of the finest in the UK. There are world class leadin experts in so many fields at Loughborough. That is why it shooting up the list of best universities and why students vote it the best student experience.

But whilst Loughborough is certainly not all about sport let us not hide this fact - let us be proud that we are world renowned for something we do really well. Let us shout from the rooftops and welcome the Japanese and Team GB to the town and county.