Sir, - The present undignified debacle over the clothes which Sonia O'Sullivan must wear whilst running on the track, casts a harsh light on something which has become glaringly obvious for some years - certainly since television started taking over international sport.
This is the irresistible surge of commercial sponsorship with its insistence that such athletes, whether in individual or team events, be decorated from breast to buttock - and lower down as well - with a selection of stripes, squares, ovals and other suchlike trade marks. This diminishes their stature and their status to the point where they seem to be regarded - and indeed almost are - little more than mere mobile billboards.
What a pity! - Yours, etc.,
St George's Avenue, Killiney,
Co Dublin.