Sir, - While attending a half-marathon in the Phoenix Park last Saturday, I overheard a boy of about 10 ask his family: "Do you think many of the runners took drugs?" May I offer my congratulations to all the cheats who have besmirched the ideal of sporting competition, to the extent that an innocent child would suspect cheating in such a minor event?
Those who, through legitimate means, only ever amount to being the slowest, lowest and weakest in the most humble of competitions are infinitely more deserving of society's respect and praise than those who, through deception and cheating, appear to be the fastest, highest and strongest in sport's most distinguished arena. - Yours, etc.,
Ken Keller, Bridgewater Quay, Islandbridge, Dublin 8.