Special Olympics 2003

Madam, - Paul Bowler's letter of June 23rd dealing with, among other things, the Special Olympics, surely misses the point

Madam, - Paul Bowler's letter of June 23rd dealing with, among other things, the Special Olympics, surely misses the point. While he is correct to note the pervasiveness of hypocrisy in Irish public life, he is wrong to suggest that "this country does not care about the disabled. It cares about being patted on the head by the international community for being good little Paddies."

Firstly, his analysis does not make any distinction between the actions of government and the motives and aspirations of people on the ground. Yes, the current Government shows scant regard for the interests of people with intellectual (and other) disabilities. But it is simply wrong to suggest that this is necessarily an accurate reflection of public perceptions of people with such disabilities. Only a hopelessly optimistic (and incorrect) view of the functioning of Irish democracy would arrive at such a conclusion.

Secondly, and more importantly, Mr Bowler seems ignorant that one of the principal aims of the Special Olympics movement is to alter people's attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities. In this task, the Special Olympics surely have been - and will continue to be - a resounding success. So even if his analysis was correct in the past, its validity is certainly being undermined by the games themselves.

Mr Bowler's argument misses the point of the event and does a great disservice to the 30,000 or more volunteers around the country who have devoted so much time and energy to the Special Olympics. Lest there be any concern about my own partisanship, let me clarify that I have no direct involvement in the games. I am merely a proud observer. Does that make me a hypocrite? - Yours, etc.,

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DIARMUID TORNEY, Albert Road, Glenageary, Co Dublin.

Madam, - I felt compelled to put hand to keyboard after reading Mary Hannigan's report of Damian O'Donovan's gold medal victory in the 100-metre freestyle at the National Aquatic Centre (The Irish Times, June 24th).

I don't think I've ever been so moved reading an article about sport and the sheer triumph and determination of the human spirit. What an enriching moment to savour in Irish sporting history! I only wish I could have seen Damian's glorious achievement for myself. - Yours, etc.,

NICK McDONAGH, Sydney, Australia.

Madam., - Share the feeling? Share the stadium. - Yours, etc.,

KATY McGUINNESS, Vesey Place, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.