If you say it often enough First Minister, maybe you’ll convince yourself

I wrote during the Olympics that perhaps the Welsh Government should have done more with the opportunity presented to Wales and Cardiff from the London 2012 games to promote Welsh tourism and business opportunities, but from a statement issued by Carwyn Jones to accompany last Friday’s welcome home parade for the athletes it seems he’s satisfied with the small financial benefits to tourism and business  Wales secured from London 2012 and is more keen to to bask in the reflected glory of elite athletes ahead of securing more participation in sport in Wales with the benefits that would bring.

The final paragraph state ‘Specific outcomes from all these workstreams are clearly still being collated and, in the cases of some, the impact on Wales of London 2012 will be long, rather than short term. It is clear, however, to all those who marvelled at Welsh performances at the Opening Ceremony, who heard about the Welsh food and drink being consumed by athletes in the Olympic village, who spotted Welsh business advertising on London’s underground network, who hosted overseas journalists at some of Wales’ visitor attractions, who participated in one of the many cultural events staged in Wales as part of the Cultural Olympiad but who, most of all, celebrated in the awe-inspiring performances of Welsh sports men and women, that Wales played a full and crucial part in the successful hosting of London 2012. In doing so, we demonstrated, once again, our ability to host  major international sporting events to the highest standard and, as a result, is due to enjoy a long term and sustainable legacy across sporting, cultural and economic life.'

If this is the level of ambition the Labour Welsh Government’s has when an opportunity is gifted to them, then why are we surprised when they fail time and time again to tackle Wales multiple problems that require actual effort.

The full statement is HERE