AlLONG with many residents, for the past week I have been enjoying the Commonwealth Games. It was so great see Jazz Carlin, a Swindon-born and educated athlete, win a gold medal.

Before she moved to Wales, Jazz used the Link swimming pool and was part of the re-opening ceremony 18 months ago. Her story is one of ambition, hope and success that could inspire us all.

There was further local success with Wales’s Laura Halford, who belongs to Esprit Gym in Headlands, winning three medals – a team silver and two bronze.

It is encouraging to see athletes from some of the less well-known Commonwealth nations and territories at the Games. I am sure I hear a special cheer for the St Helena athletes from our own “Swindolenas”.

Some people may not be aware that Swindon hosts a significant community of people from this small island in the South Atlantic, a place so remote that it was used for the final exile of the defeated French ruler Napoleon.

As with London 2012, there will be people who now feel inspired and want to take up new sports. To help, we have run a number of taster sessions at Wharf Green with opportunities to try fencing, boxing, and swimming free over the next few days. InSwindon and the Swindon Sports Forum have organised these events along with the Council.

I would also like to thank the local sports clubs whose members have been so enthusiastic in promoting these activities. There are many benefits to taking up sport as it is great fun, and often much more enjoyable than being a spectator.

Being active in a sport is a healthy habit that can reward us for many years to come with better health and improved wellbeing. We have a dedicated website to help everyone find something that may appeal: www.leisurein swindon.co.uk.

Alongside this, Swindon is also part of the Sky Ride scheme, which is a series of organised bike rides held on Sundays. These events, funded by Sport England, vary in distance from four miles to 30, so there is something for the newcomer as well as the veteran.

You can find more details at www.goskyride.com/swindon – there are many excellent cycle routes that will show you new and different places from the countryside to the town centre. You might also use our cycle routes, such as the upgraded Western Flyer, which has the less attractive formal designation ‘National Cycle Network Route 45 (Link)’.

The route is about two miles long from Mead Way to Sheppard Street via North Star. By making the route safer and easier to use, I hope it will encourage commuters as well as those who cycle for pleasure to use it.