From the Revd Nick Bromfield
Sir, - Great to see your coverage (News, 10 August) of the Christian links with
the marvellous Olympics and the athletes who attributed their
success to their faith. A mystery, however, is what seemed to be
the resolute lack of comment by BBC commentators and pundits when
the live pictures showed athletes praying or crossing themselves,
having won or achieved a medal or high placing in their event.
For example, after Stephen Kiprotich
won the first gold medal for Uganda in the marathon last Sunday, he
knelt down on the tarmac to pray (no mean feat in itself after 26.2
miles in 80° heat) and made the sign of the cross; and yet Steve
Cram and Brendan Foster made no allusion to the contribution that
his faith may have made.
Similarly, when the Ethiopian Meseret
Defar won the women's 5000 metres a couple of days previously, she
produced a picture of the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus from her
running vest and pointed at it, weeping, again giving God the glory
for her victory after years of injury and frustration. This is an
athlete who regularly donates her prize money to international
children's charities. It was very clear where her inspiration had
come from, but, once again, no mention of her Christian faith was
given.
The most disappointing omission of
all, however, was when the three Jamaican 200-metres runners, led
by Usain Bolt, won a clean sweep of medals in that race, after
which they each gave thanks to God for their win and attributed
their success to God - albeit with a passing appreciation of Johnny
English. Once more, not even a passing reference by the BBC
crew.
In all the concern about Olympic
legacy and Boris Johnson's enthusiasm for a compulsory two hours of
competitive games each day at school, perhaps Lord Coe could begin
by looking at the part played by the Christian faith in determining
athletic success?
NICK BROMFIELD
The Rectory, Oakland Road
Harrow Hill, Drybrook
Gloucestershire GL17 9JX
From Canon Paul Denyer
Sir, - Am I alone in thinking John Lennon's "Imagine" is
exactly the wrong thing to be sung at the culmination of the
Olympics?
I am not anti-Olympics. I think it has
been a marvellous example of how faith, hope, and charity can
triumph over cynicism and low national self-esteem; but to imagine
a world without countries and religion is a sentimental
fantasy.
I am surprised we weren't treated to a
choir of athletes singing "I did it my way".
PAUL DENYER
Warmley Vicarage
Church Avenue
Bristol BS30 5JJ