Youngsters should be inspired by Olympians
As the Olympics come to an end, let’s now see the young put down their mobile phones, don Lycra and head down to the nearest gymnasium, velodrome, running track or rowing venue! Surely, if they have any soul and any aspiration to better themselves, they will have been inspired by the wonderful athletes such as 16-year-old gymnast Amy Tinkler (left), who have done us proud in Rio.
I begin every Olympics ‘not that bothered’, but after a few days I’m perched on the edge of my seat, screaming at the television and leaping into the air whenever our finest young people win a medal.
I’m also desperately sad that, at my advanced age and with my shape, I could never do that.
The youngsters of today could, and should, seriously wonder if they, too, have what it takes to achieve greatness, and try for it. Anything is better than pointlessly prodding at a mobile phone with a ‘zombie’ facial expression.
If I were young, I’d want more from life than that.
Philip Codd, Manchester It makes you proud to be British when you see the results from our athletes at the Rio Olympics, with a record haul of medals in what is the best away performance ever.
So, thank goodness Scotland voted to stay within the strength of the United Kingdom.