I led a debate in the Assembly Chamber yesterday on how important sport is to the general health and wellbeing of our nation. I emphasised the importance of protecting our green spaces and playing fields which is essential in providing "access for all". During the debate I raised the issue of the 2012 London Olympics where even though I believe the Welsh economy will benefit it now seems that sports and arts organisations could well suffer. It appears that the Heritage Minister has had no discussions with organisers of the Olympic committee regarding tourism benefits to Wales. I even offered to introduce him to Seb Coe, the chair of the Olympic committee, given that I had met with him and his colleagues last year. This offer of help didn't go down very well with the Minister but bearing in mind that Wales' art and sporting community could suffer it is even more pressing that the Assembly Government engage with the organisers of the Olympics. It is also vital that Wales receives a barnett consequential as a result of the games and the Assembly Government should be pressing hard for this. During the Minister's response to our debate the chamber deteriorated into chaos where it appeared that he was slightly annoyed with us raising some of these issues. As my colleague, Darren Millar said in the chamber the Minister needs to put on his tracksuit and pull his finger out.
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