The meeting was arranged by Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners, the county's official partnership supporting the delivery of the London 2012 Games.

Crates, an arm amputee who won gold in the T46 800 metres at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, spoke about the importance of Hertfordshire businesses getting together to capitalise on the opportunity of the London 2012 Games .

"These events are still as important as they were two years ago as contracts are still available," said Crates, who also carried at the GB Flag at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Opening Ceremony.

"There is also the added opportunity for the Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners Partnership to champion the amount of business success that Hertfordshire has already had from London 2012."

As well as hearing from Crates, heard about specific London 2012 contract opportunities and were given advice on business preparedness.

They also found out about Hertfordshire's Olympic venue - the Lee Valley White Water Centre which was the first new Olympic venue to be completed and opened to the public.

"Our county has maintained the accolade of the highest percentage of businesses registered on CompeteFor in the region, we are proud of this and want to keep the level of engagement up," said Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners chairman Derrick Ashley.

"With the recent London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay announcing that Hertfordshire has the honour of hosting the torch on two days, now really is the time for Hertfordshire businesses to grab the opportunities that the Olympics is bringing to the county."

Registrations are now being taken for the partnership's next 'Win Business Gold' free event on January 27 at the Holiday Inn in Elstree.

To attend click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]