AMID the triumphalism of each medal won by “Team GB” at the Olympics and hours of BBC TV coverage sadly limited in broad sporting action, there was little discussion (among the incessant talking of hosts and invited “sofa guests”) of the iniquities of UK Sport funding or the comparatively greater success of some of our sporting neighbours.
GB (population 65 million-plus) won 14 gold medals (more than half from equestrianism, rowing/sailing and cycling) and 65 medals overall, while Ireland (population five million-plus, or seven million-plus if Northern Ireland included) won four gold medals with seven overall and Norway (population 5.5 million-plus) won four gold medals with eight overall.
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A simplistic population comparison indicates that “Team Norway” enjoyed greater than three times more gold medal success and greater than 50% more “overall medal success” than “Team GB”. “Team Ireland” (including the Northern Ireland population) enjoyed greater than double the gold medal success and similar overall medal success to “Team GB” (but, like Norway, without the large pool of competitors for relays and other team events). The equivalent comparison with distant New Zealand indicates that with a population of five million people and ten gold medals won, 20 overall, “Team NZ” enjoyed nearly ten times more gold medal success and greater than four times the overall medal success of “Team GB”.
Regrettably it is not anticipated that the distorted, elitist approach to GB sports funding will be seriously and objectively reviewed any time soon, but perhaps Sports Scotland (with the limited funds it has available) can learn from New Zealand and other “small countries”, such as Norway and Ireland, and at the same time devise a more equitable funding model better targeted at encouraging greater participation across a wide range of sports than focusing on selected sports which require considerable financial resources to pursue to the top level.
Medals are great as recognition of individual talent and sporting commitment, as well as in helping to inspire younger competitors, but improving the overall health of the nation must be considered more important than the celebration of a few meritorious successes.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
AS I listen to the news, read the papers and look around our beautiful world, it is in crisis through man’s greed and avarice and disregard for the future wellbeing of our planet.
Yet there was such joy when the youth of the world, in the bright clear Olympic flame, brought together the nations of the world in friendship.
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In truth, does humanity need to spend so much money teaching the art of killing, rather than the art of healing? Indeed why have we not built more hospitals than churches, since we can pray to God anywhere but can’t perform operations in the gutter!
So much can be done, but changing society for the benefit of all may be now beyond humanity, without revolution, misery and destruction.
However, I believe all is not lost, as with courage, confidence and inspirational leadership, poverty, and ill health along with the wellbeing of planet Earth can be tackled, if the intrinsic goodwill of mankind rises to the challenge.
Grant Frazer
Newtonmore
THE correct response to the “Muslims go home”-type messages should be: I’m a Muslim, and this IS my home”. These ignorant violent buffoons seem to imagine that the only Muslims in Scotland are “illegal aliens” (aka refugees).
There are many Muslims who are NOT of Asian origin. Education of these dullards is paramount.
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Judging ALL Muslims by the behaviour of the fanatical Jihadis is like judging ALL Christians by the behaviour of the Ku Klux Klan in USA. They seem to want to attack those perceived to be “different” to themselves, so obviously if we were ALL ignorant, bigoted, violent thugs, the world would be a happier place ... eh?
Barry Stewart (of no religious persuasion, but Jedi sounds good)
Blantyre
KELLY Given’s article in The National on Thursday August 8 is an absolute masterpiece in its description of the “ugliness that is embedded across the foundations of British society” and its consequences for society (Racist, colonial ideas are woven into the UK’s fabric).
An absolute must-read not just for supporters for Scottish independence but for all citizens of the UK. This article deserves a wider readership.
Carole Downie
Arbroath
YOU ask in Back in the Day what is your favourite poem by MacDiarmid. I bought some time ago a copy of Hugh MacDiarmid: a Festschrift. I knew it was signed by him but did not realise he had written his poem Wheesht, Wheesht inside, which is actually my favourite.
Richard Easson
Dornoch
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