Sir, – We have had leprechaun economics. Now we have leprechaun Olympics. – Yours, etc,
PAT McQUAILE,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
Sir, – Aoife Lord (August 17th) asks if she is alone in finding the current Olympics bereft of inspirational qualities. I suspect she speaks for a great many embittered sports fans.
However, last week on the way to a hockey summer camp, my daughter and her friend spent the journey pretending to be the Harte brothers, local celebrities and heroes. If part of the remit is to inspire a new generation, then perhaps the mission has been accomplished. Despite the contribution of the administrators. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN O’BRIEN,
Belgooly,
Co Cork.
Sir, – Good for Kathy Sheridan on her piece on a drug-fuelled, money-obsessed, "prestige"-driven circus ("Sochi scandal forgotten amid Russia's beef with the Rio rations", Opinion & Analysis, August 17th). I hope I am not the only person who would be delighted if we were to withdraw from this charade and devote the millions saved on developing sport for all, which could combat obesity, promote health and reduce dependence on cars. – Yours, etc,
DAVID HERMAN,
Benllech,
Wales.
Sir, – In light of all the many dreadful and embarrassing events in Rio, is it not time to review how scarce resources are spent in the area of sport in Ireland?
Having trained children in many sports for the past 43 years on a totally voluntary basis, like so many teachers and parents all over Ireland, with no support or acknowledgement from the Government, it sickens me to hear how much money is given to the privileged few who make it to the Olympics, not to mention the planeload of officials who “qualify” for a luxury trip every four years.
Let’s get serious about promoting a healthy lifestyle for our children and put money into PE in primary schools, which everyone in Ireland attends during their formative years. – Yours, etc,
ÁINNLE O’NEILL,
Templeogue,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – I remember riding my trike in my youth, as many of my generation did. Little did I think that it might be elevated to Olympic status in the BMX category. – Yours, etc,
DEREK MacHUGH,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – It seems that in relation to what sort of inquiry might best be held in this country into the Olympic tickets issue, a complicating factor is that selling tickets above face value is an offence in Brazil but not here. I suggest that one positive outcome from this affair would be if we were to follow Brazil’s lead in this regard. – Yours, etc,
CIARÁN CONNOLLY,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.
Sir, – I note that male amateur boxers, at least those appearing at the Olympics, are not obliged to wear protective head gear. However, female boxers are fully protected in this regard. The sexism is questionable but not half as much as the lack of protection afforded male amateur boxers. It prompts the question of whether repeated blows to the head cause damage or not, or is it only repeated blows to the female head? – Yours, etc,
ANNE MARIE KILKENNY,
Sallynoggin,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It seems that every time an Irish competitor or team loses, there are cries of "We was robbed!" As a result, when there is a real injustice, as with Michael Conlan's defeat, all we can say is "We was really robbed this time!" – Yours, etc,
DAVE ROBBIE,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – The current Olympic Games bear no relationship to the ideals of Baron de Coubertin. Let’s just call a halt to this farce. – Yours, etc,
JACINTA McLOUGHLIN,
Ashbourne,
Co Meath.
Sir, – The Olympic Council of Ireland needs to clarify now the basis on which its presidents are chosen. In a striking interview broadcast by RTÉ on August 5th, OCI president Pat Hickey stated that he believes that his current vice-president will take over from him until 2020 and that the current chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney, is “favourite at the moment” to take over then from 2020.
“Favourite” with whom? What is the specification for the job?
Mr Hickey told RTÉ that “John [Delaney] is very popular.” How does the OCI measure “popularity” and to what extent is this a qualification for its top job? What else is required exactly?
In fairness to other potential candidates, if it’s not too late, we should be told now about the OCI’s methodology for replacing Mr Hickey and for determining how public money is spent through its coffers on recruiting its president. – Yours, etc,
COLUM KENNY,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – A number of days ago, Shane Ross, Minister for Sport and Tourism, very publicly left the country for Brazil “to get answers” to the evolving Olympic ticket scandal. He is now returning very quietly. It would appear that not only was Mr Ross’s trip politically inspired, so as to appear tough given his recent poor political performance ratings, but it was utterly unproductive. One could even say it was ill-conceived, as with the Brazilian police involved, due process was always going to trump his requirements.
In view of this and to compensate him for his efforts, would it be appropriate to award him an Olympic medal for political huffing and puffing? – Yours, etc,
BRIAN CULLEN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.