ONE man who had no excuse for being late for work during the petrol crisis is Caton's shock Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally.

The former Lancaster University student shocked the nation with his thrilling victory down under, an achievement made all the more amazing by the fact that he only took up cycling seriously five years ago.

He has benefited more than most from the injection of national lottery funding (in fact, if this kind of success continues, I might even be tempted to buy a ticket) and the world class Velodrome in Manchester.

But, more importantly, he's demonstrated to a nation of sports people that its never too late to find your niche.

Queally was a water polo player, by all accounts quite a good one, but it was when he got on his bike that he started looking towards Olympic medals and Sydney 2000.

So, while millions of people are inspired to dust off the cycle and playgrounds across the country become mini-velodromes this would be a good time to mention that there are sports for all shapes and sizes.

The sheer diversity of events at the Olympics is one of its main charms and, while not all of them are on offer down at Salt Ayre Sports Centre, plenty are.

Local clubs are popping up for different events all the time.

For example, did you know that the well-established Heysham Atoms rugby league club has now started a women's section?

Every sport has its merits, and every sports lover should, for his or her own sake, try out a few. You never know, come the 2004 Olympic in Athens it might be you who is celebrating winning gold.

Now, I'm off to find my previously untapped talent as a footballer...