Back London and Yorkshire could strike gold in eight years time, says DAVID ANDREWS, chief executive of York-based Yorkshire Tourist Board.

AS the British Olympic team fights for gold in Athens, it's worth asking ourselves in Yorkshire: Will it be London for the 2012 Olympics?

Some may ask why should we care up here? Let London look after itself...

That's very short-sighted. Should the Olympics come to London in eight years time, it is my intention that Yorkshire plays its part. Whether we host one Olympic team or 40, we will benefit.

After all, our location makes us a prime spot - attractive, easy to reach, excellent facilities and environment.

In York's case that could mean using the new University of York campus sporting facilities, including the anticipated international standard track and 50 metre pool.

Think of what a boost it will mean for the city's economy.

A new report called "UK Sport's Measuring Success 2: The Economic Impact Of Major Sports Events" reveals that hosting a major sporting event has considerable, direct economic impact on local communities, with nine out of the 16 events studied each contributing more than £1.45 million to the local economy.

This is not money spent on tickets to the event, lining the pockets of the promoter or sporting body.

It is spending on hotel beds, restaurant meals, taxi fares, newspapers, gin and tonics.

The spenders are participants, entourages, event staff, media and spectators.

Not surprisingly, as they represent the largest group, most money is spent by spectators, 61 per cent on average.

But they aren't the biggest spenders, splashing out on average £50 per day.

The real money is to be made from the media, who lash out on average £100 a day. Aren't London media expenses a wonderful thing?

The crux of all this research is that we now have a robust forecasting model that we can apply to gauge the economic impact of an event in advance.

And given the choice as an athlete where would you prefer to stay, York or Birmingham?

So, let's get behind the London 2012 bid and make it "our bid" too.

Updated: 09:47 Thursday, August 26, 2004