WORLD sport appears to be at a crossroads not helped by the wretched handling of the Russian doping scandal.
The Olympics in Brazil, based in Rio, a city of huge contrast of super rich and desperately poor, many are forced to live in criminally-controlled area of the city. Meanwhile, the Amazon rain forest shrinks annually and water sports are held in polluted waters.
A large percentage of Brazilians appear to have little interest, with large numbers of tickets remaining unsold.
However, I do hope the Games do well for the sake of all those drug-free athletes of all sports, who have endured hardships to reach this level. And the Brazilians have set up the Olympics at a fraction of the cost of the London Games. Sports are changing worldwide. Pro football especially is something of a cash guzzling animal, receiving vast amounts of money, yet charging fans huge amounts to watch.
I hope we do not lose the chance of sport involving competition at all levels and ages. It should include friendship, skills, discipline and fun.
Let's hope we don't enter an age where ordinary folk get more exercise chasing Pokemon characters than playing genuine sports.
David Sharples
Tarbet Drive
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel