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Most British people believe that the country’s image has soared as a direct result of the magnificent success of the Olympic Games, a survey has revealed. The opinion poll found that 72 percent feel their country has been given a feel-good factor in the eyes of people abroad, the Daily Express reported. Politicians now hope to capitalise on that success through tourism, business exports, sports and PE policies in schools and hope it will influence other issues, including the question of Scottish independence. The poll of 2,004 adults carried out by Vision Critical last Thursday and Friday confirmed a general feeling of optimism from the Games. The feel-good factor was boosted after Olympic heroes Sir Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis praised a new funding deal announced by David Cameron to help propel Team GB to further glory at Rio 2016. The Prime Minister said 600-million-pounds of public money would be made available to elite athletes over the next four years – but only if they give up some of their time free of charge to help inspire children. Cameron said top athletes will continue to be supported by the taxpayer and cash from the National Lottery in the run up to the Games in Brazil . He said UK Sport will receive around 125 million pound-a-year over the next four years to give sports’ governing bodies certainty over budgets when planning for a 2012-style medal haul. About 40 million pounds will come from the public purse while an estimated 87 million pounds from the lottery. The elite sports funding will also support Paralympic GB athletes who begin their campaign in London in 17 days’ time, Downing Street said. They said that as part of the deal, and “in the volunteering spirit of the Games”, elite athletes must give up to five days a year of their time, free of charge, to inspire the next generation through school sport. “The motto of these Games has been ‘inspire a generation’. Nothing has been more inspirational than seeing our elite athletes win gold this summer,” Cameron said. “There’s a direct link between elite success and participation in sport. I want one of the legacies of these Games to be our athletes triumphing in Rio in 2016, and in future Olympic Games. “Guaranteeing this funding will help ensure that happens,” he added.

Brits basking in glory of hosting spectacular Olympic Games