Sports Letters: Long-term benefits

Sir: I can understand Mr Davey's feelings (Sports Letters, 8 April) about the intended return to international competition of Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill in ice dancing. It seems to him that by so doing they are depriving younger skaters of a chance of competing in the World Championships and the Winter Olympics, since Britain can send only one couple to each. However, in the longer term Chris and Jayne are trying to help our youngsters. If, as is entirely possible, they earn a medal in the 1994 World Championships, Britain will be entitled to enter not one but three couples in the 1995 championships. And those events will be held in this country, at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

Yours sincerely,

DENNIS L BIRD

Archivist/Historian

National Skating Association

9 April