PLUMMETING

standards in Irish athletics will not be corrected by the appointment of a new high performance director. Attitudes must change, and a culture that tolerates reaching finals as the achievement, rather than competing in them, is one doomed to fail.

Paul McNamara should set high goals for his charges, and tackle a sport where, in this country, excuses are never in short supply. There is talent, as the performances of Tom Barr and Fionnuala McCormack in Rio showed. It will develop best in an environment hostile to sob stories.