Simon Parker column

Spain have been very quiet. Can’t hear much of a peep from South Africa either.

And the next Olympic hosts Brazil have done nothing worth a Samba yet.

Perhaps it is time that the Republic of Yorkshire was officially recognised as it’s own separate entity after finishing 15th in the Games medals table.

Of course, nothing was written down officially but let’s not bother about the minor details. The White Rose blossomed proudly throughout London 2012.

And those of us in the west of the county can claim to have contributed more than our fair share to the gold rush, not to mention Yorkshire’s only silver and another bronze.

That success was underlined this week with the public reception for the Brownlee brothers in Leeds and a proper homecoming for Lizzie Armitstead through the streets of Otley .

And that’s not to forget Nicola Adams, who honed her boxing skills in Huggy’s Gym in West Bowling – and has since sparked a boom in interest, particularly among young females.

Swimming may be disappearing down the plughole following their poor performances in the Aquatic Centre. But the debut of women’s boxing was a roaring success thanks to the likes of the bubbly Adams, who could be the catalyst for a real medal rush in the Rio ring come four years from now.

Her success – and the down-to-earth, grounded reaction afterwards – has produced a genuine connection with the people, especially those who have seen her close up.

For the folk of West Yorkshire, that was really “one of us” standing on the podium as God Save The Queen belted out once again.

While some medal hopefuls froze on the big occasion – Dai Green, the unfit and over-hyped Phillips Idowu and all but two of the swimmers – those from this neck of the woods stood up to be counted.

Armitstead got the ball rolling with the first Team GB gong thanks to that silver in the women’s road race.

Then Adams punched her way to one of the most popular golds of the Games, even crowning her triumph with an ‘Ali shuffle’ in tribute of the legend who first sparked her interest in the noble art watching old fight videos as a 12-year-old.

And we had the one-two – well, one-three – of Alistair and Jonny Brownlee swimming, biking and running to gold and bronze in the triathlon.

Cyclist Ed Clancy, from Huddersfield, and rower Andy Triggs Hodge – raised in Hebden near Skipton , where his parents still live – brought more golden glory to the region.

To rework a familiar ditty, on Ilkley Moor is where it’s at...

What you gotta say now, Barcelona and Cape Town?