That the Spanish paralympian, exposed as a convicted terrorist, would not be stripped of the five gold medals he won in Sydney as he did not break competition rules seems reasonable enough.

Sebastian Rodriguez, 43, won five gold medals in swimming and broke four Paralympic records at the event which ended last Sunday. He had been sentenced to 84 years in jail for his role in the murder of business leader Rafael Padura while a member of an armed organisation known as Grapo. A hunger strike in jail disabled him for life.

But how many once jailed republican prisoners currently play GAA or have won All-Ireland medals and why was there not an outcry when Audley Harrison won the Olympic super-heavyweight title to become Britain's first boxing gold medallist since Chris Finnegan in 1968. Harrison previously served time in prison and did not disclose it until after the Olympics.

The point of formal sport is that there are rules. If you don't break the rules you play. Rodriguez didn't break any rules, Harrison didn't either and convicted rapist Mike Tyson, despite the opprobrium that greeted his visit to Britain, had every right to take part in his heavyweight fight. Tony Adams served time for drunk driving but has since returned as England captain and Arsenal strongman. Let Rodriguez keep his five gold medals.