Sofa so bad

The events of the past two weeks have achieved something remarkable: never in the history of the Olympics have so many people sat on their backsides for so many hours, in stadia and parks and in front of TV screens and computers, watching the heroic achievements of the fittest people on the planet.

In Scotland it is ironic that we have embarrassing levels of obesity alongside world-class athletic performance. In congratulating our Olympic superstars of 2012 we should not forget that around two-thirds of the Scottish adult population are not taking enough daily physical exercise.

That is bad news for our enjoyment of life and for the costs we bring to bear on the National Health Service. Michael Canavagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, has reminded us the commitment and investment in hosting the Glasgow 2014 Games are only justifiable if they create a legacy and that includes inspiring people to spend more time on physical activity (your report, 11 August).

And Chris Hoy, in his call to “strike while the iron is hot” and capitalise on the success of 2012 and the potential of the Commonwealth Games in 2014, is warning of the dangers of complacency.

But in 2008, in Beijing, he called for more cycle paths to be built, safe from traffic. Four years on, he has more gold  medals around his neck, and still the Scottish Government spends around 1 per cent of its transport budget on walking and cycling routes. How many more medals are needed before the politicians respond and raise this to more than 10 per cent, as in other European countries?

London 2012 has demonstrated how sporting success can be achieved through the commitment of time, effort and money on those with the ability to reach the podium.

Now the real challenge of Glasgow 2014 is to build on this and get everybody walking at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. That will build a physical activity legacy for Scotland which restores our health and vitality, alongside the medals.

Dave Morris

Ramblers Scotland

Auld Mart Business Park

Milnathort, Kinross