David Cameron hails 'golden summer of British sport'

Prime Minister David Cameron poses with some gamesmakers after inviting them to Downing Street in London before they take part in the athletes parade (PA)

The summer of Olympic and Paralympic sporting success will be etched on the memories of the public in the same way as the World Cup winning year of 1966, the Prime Minister said today.

David Cameron hailed the London games as the "best ever" as he thanked gamesmakers at a reception in No 10 this morning.

The "golden summer" of sport had united the country and shown that Britain had the "confidence to deliver big things", he added.

Mr Cameron said Olympians and Paralympians "delighted and amazed" the nation and praised the Army, police and volunteers for helping the games to run smoothly and safely.

He said: "At the end of the most unbelievably successful Olympics and Paralympics, I just want to say what a golden summer of British sport and what a golden summer it has been for our country.

"I think it has given us a tremendous lift, I think it has brought the country together and I think it has given us memories that we will be talking about for years and generations to come.

"I think that 2012 will be like 1966, something we'll talk about with our children and grandchildren, something that will continue to delight us long after this time has passed."

The Prime Minister said the "magical summer" had brought out the best in Britain for the world to see.

He said: "I think there is something else that we can take from this extraordinary period and that is for countries to succeed in this competitive and difficult world you need to have confidence that you can do big things and get them right, you need to have confidence that you can take on the best and beat the best, and I think the Olympic and Paralympics - we've absolutely done that as a country."

Mr Cameron is sending a letter of thanks to every one of the thousands of volunteers who took part in London 2012, said his official spokesman.

The spokesman said: "One of the great success stories of the Olympics and Paralympics was the tens of thousands of people who have given up their time to support the Games. We want to thank them."

Mr Cameron tells volunteers "you have not just helped make London 2012 happen, but through the welcome and spirit you have shown, you have put a smile on the nation's face" in his thank-you letter.

He adds: "To see tens of thousands of people giving up their time to support London 2012 has been truly inspiring."

The letter says the volunteers "have been an essential ingredient in a remarkable summer that millions of people across the country have shared and will remember for a lifetime".

He added: "You have sent an incredible message about the warmth, friendliness and can-do spirit of the United Kingdom around the world. Quite simply, the Games couldn't have happened without you."

Among the gamesmakers invited to Downing Street this morning were volunteers who had worked at Weymouth and Portland, Old Trafford, Cardiff, Kent, Essex and Heathrow along with members of the London Ambassador programme.

PA