Sir, - I recently was able to watch televised Olympics coverage from RTE, in Northern Ireland. I am not a sports fan, but I found the Dublin coverage far superior in many respects to that of the BBC, whose licence fee I have paid for over 40 years.
Despite their unreserved joy at the gold medals won by Michelle Smith, RTE gave a very fair, professional and unjingoistic report of events. It took time to show viewers something different, such as weightlifting, volleyball - things which are odd enough to interest a non-sports fan like me, who has been put off by the BBC and UTV diet of soccer, soccer, boxing, soccer, rugby, rugby, golf, horses and soccer yet again.
It seemed to me, comparing the two, that many of the BBC commentators are past their sell by date. Is David Coleman really there, or is it an even more slurred imitation from Rory Bremner? - Yours, etc.,
Belfast BT7 3HO.