Sir, - One Tour de France in the mid-1930s was notable for the fact that an elderly man named Godot took part. He was not among those expected to win. In fact, he finished each day's effort many hours behind the peleton. The newspapers took up his story and he became something of a celebrity. People began to hold torch-lit parties by the roadside and, when asked why, they would reply: "Nous attendons Godot" ("We're waiting for Godot").
Sam Beckett, in his early 20s, was living in Paris and had a keen interest in sports of all kinds. - Yours, etc., Gerry O'Malley,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.