What looks spectacular to one can be tedious to another

I WAS surprised by Don Burslam’s lukewarm appreciation of the Olympic Games (Yorkshire Post, August 17).

I suppose what is spectacular to one is tedious to another.

I admit to finding myself caught up in the excitement of the acquisition of medals.

Beach volleyball is actually a good game; the sand enables players to dive around with impunity, obviating the need for the protective gear used in the traditional game.

What should be included in the Games will always be a moot issue.

It is patronising to judge women’s boxing as 
“unpleasant and demeaning to the sex”.

Acclaimed presenter Clare Balding pointed out that if we 
are talking ethics, men’s boxing 
is no more justifiable than women’s as the object of the exercise is to hurt one’s opponent.

My overriding memory of Leeds gold medalist Nicola Adams is that her skill, speed and agility was easy on the eye.

Incidentally, if women can run marathons shouldn’t they be allowed to play five sets in tennis majors, especially as they are paid as much as their male counterparts?

From: John Watson, Hutton Hill, Leyburn.

I TOTALLY endorse what AJ Porter (Yorkshire Post, August 18) had to say regarding football.

I did not see the Korean match, or any other, but it does not surprise me how some of the crowd behaved.

After the Olympics with its friendliness and sportsmanship, it has come like a bad dream to me that not only have we to endure football in the middle of summer but we are going to have to listen to the so-called pundits with their jargon and worn-out phrases about the finer points of the game, if there are any.

The whole atmosphere in the Olympic Park and elsewhere was a joy to behold and experience. Everywhere one went people were smiling and laughing with spectators from all over the world.

Where would you find a football ground with such conditions?

If the fans weren’t segregated there would be a riot.

I wouldn’t let my kids anywhere near a football game for inspiration but I would let them loose among all the Olympians whose dedication and sheer hard work has got them to the top without the obscene wages being paid by the football clubs.

Good heavens! We can’t even produce a national team that can win matches when the pressure is on.

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

I REFER to Words of the Week (Yorkshire Post, August 18). David Cameron said: “We showed the world what we are made of. We reminded ourselves what we can do.” What’s with the “we” bit? Our athletes showed what they are made of and what they could do, not David Cameron. I am a Conservative by nature but hate politicians when they claim credit for others’ efforts.

From: Julian Hide, North Street, Sutton-in-Craven.

KEVIN who? Who needs Kevin Pietersen when there’s Jonny Bairstow?