The Prime Minister chose Loughborough to launch Labours' Sports Manifesto. He was in around for a couple of hours yesterday.

Loughborough is an obvious choice to launch the manifesto for a number of reasons, and for me demonstrates why people should vote Labour on Thursday. We have transformed sport and are on the way to doing even more. Let me explain.

In 1997 less than 20% of children were doing any PE in schools. We had come home with just one Gold medal from the Atlanta Olympic Games. We didn't look like winning anything anywhere. Our sports infrastructure was in decay every where you looked.

Sadly we didn't get on top if this straight away but by 2000 we were motoring. Sport got its act together and showed to government what it could deliver for the nation.

The Youth Sport Trust (based in Loughborough 170 jobs!) got the job of delivering school sport. Now running at 90% getting 2 hours quality PE and by 2012 we will be delivering 5 hours PE. Competition is back too.

2008 in Bejing saw us 4th in medal table with our biggest medal haul in a generation. That didn't happen by accident. It was because we invested in our elite athletes and gave them the best facilities in the world to train in. We also hired the best coaches. We aim to come 4th again but with a bigger medal tally in 2012. Oh yes we won 2012 for Great Britain. And we have won hosting other sporting world cups right up to 2018 - cricket, rugby League & Union as well as hundreds of other major championships. All bringing economic benefit.

In community sport there IS still along way to go. We are building capacity but it needs another decade of growth to get us all doing our bit.

To Loughborough I guess the number of jobs sports brings to the town is more than 1200 - direct. There are many more indirect benefits.

So this transformation has not happened by accident. It is because Labour has acted and invested. When people say nothing has changed remember only 1 in 5 children doign PE in 1997 and now 90% doing it now. That's change and progress. It is only when you look back you remember where we have come from and where we have got to!

The Loughborough Brand is enormous. We should embrace it and shout about it. Not whine from the sidelines in jealousy. It benefits us all - even if you hate sport.

So no wonder the Prime Minister and Olympic Minister were so impressed by the athletes, facilities and enthusiasm we bring to the table.