FORMER athlete Steve Cram called on businesses in the region not to miss out on the “huge opportunity”

the 2012 Olympic Games in London had to offer.

The North-East born Olympian and London 2012 ambassador was speaking at a dinner at Lumley Castle, near Chester-le- Street, organised to coincide with an event encouraging the region’s businesses to look for opportunities within the Olympics supply chain.

He said: “It is crucial that North-East companies work hard to win a share of the business associated with the 2012 Games and there have already been some major successes.

“Only this week, Durham University announced its memorandum of understanding with the Sri Lankan International Olympic Committee to host its athletes during the games, and a number of North-East firms have also won significant contracts in sectors ranging from construction to communications.

“The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games represent the pinnacle of world sport, and London 2012 presents an unparalleled opportunity for the sporting community in Great Britain.”

Cram was speaking in advance of yesterday’s Olympic Meet the Buyer event at The Riverside, in Chester-le-Street.

Companies attending the event were able to secure meetings and showcase their products and services to organisations in the 2012 supply chain including Balfour Beatty, Morrison Construction and Skanska Construction.