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Time to regain Olympic ideals: Letter

Richard Darnell
Sunday 04 August 1996 23:02 BST
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Sir: Last week, Paul Palmer, one of our Olympic sporting successes, subscribed to the theory that success in sport in Britain is on the whole in spite of the system and not because of it. On the same day John Major announced the introduction of sports scholarships in an attempt to improve our world standing ("The way to turn silver into gold", 25 July).

The question that springs to mind is "what level of sporting success do we want to achieve?" Although I am sure we would like to move away from our reputation for heroic failure, would we want to become like the Americans at these Games in that if their competitors don't win gold, they are considered underachievers? To the viewing public I don't think there is any greater feeling than occasional success. When it occurs, it carries that surprise element that can lead to national euphoria.

Compare this with the expectation that comes with extra funding and support.

Of course we need to give our athletes more financial backing, but not to the extent that it creates an undue burden of expectation. Paul Palmer is only 21 years old. He has just won a silver medal in the 400 metres freestyle in the Olympics. In Sydney in four years' time I hope he wins gold.

But I also hope the country does not expect him to.

RICHARD DARNELL

Harpenden,

Hertfordshire

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