SO I was driving along on Saturday afternoon in beautiful Cumbria, tuned in to the sports report on Lakeland FM writes Richard Mulligan

The interviewer was talking to one of England's gymnasts who had, the previous night, taken gold in the men's team event. Quite an achievement, you would think.

"You were really celebrating out there, weren't you? It was as though you'd won the FA Cup or something?"

Personally I felt that the gymnast - I'm sorry I didn't take a note of his name - should have ended the interview there. But he very politely answered that, for him, this was the FA Cup.

In fact, it's more. I was mesmerised by the athletics last night, which Steve Cram rightly dubbed 'Sensational Sunday'.

Paula Radcliffe almost unable to shake hands with her fellow competitors, so exhausted as she was after a fantastic performance in the 5,000m.

Jonathan Edwards and Phillips Iduwu battling out for the Triple Jump, and 39-year-old Mick Jones winning the Hammer gold.

Scot Jamie Quarry making up 12 seconds - after two days of competition - on his rival for bronze in the decathlon 1500m.

Faster, higher, stronger, as they say. It reminds you of what sport really is, and it's not beer bellies singing 'Three Lions' down your ear.

I was very proud, as an Old Rivingtonian, to cover the cycling Time Trial from my former school on Saturday morning.

The atmosphere was terrific, as hundreds of Horwich folk woke up early on Saturday morning to get their fill of the Commonwealth Games.

But, in terms of the cycling itself, there was not a right lot to see. I stood at the start/ finish line, which meant I saw the competitors, well, start and finish.

The only real action was when a Scottish lady suffered a puncture in the home straight.

It goes to show how television coverage can make sports with no spectator appeal seem so much more interesting. As I was at the event itself I didn't see the BBC pictures, but I presume their cameras were tracking the leaders, and up to date with all the split times.

While the Games are hopefully motivating people to get up and do something active, my advice is: Don't move too far away from your telly.