LIKE

many in the world I have been watching the Winter Olympics, although I see many of the stands are not as full as they are for the Summer version.

Both versions display the best in their sports, challenging their own limits as well as a few ‘amateurs’ who provide the comic relief crashing in events that however could injure or kill them.

The difference in crowd numbers and general support may be due to the average person’s own sporting experiences. Most people have competed in a race, swum in a pool, shot a few baskets or rode a bike, although rarely at the level required to be an Olympian. Fewer people have skied or skated because of the costs involved.

Support should be provided for all sports, especially for children to participate in, so that they can be healthier and the rising obesity problems can be addressed. Most of the money should go to the mass participation sports rather than the individual sports that require expensive equipment, e.g. although similar events, high jump is less expensive than pole vault.

Cheer the sports but more importantly – play the sports. DENNIS FITZGERALD