Olympics flamed

Published on 25/07/2012 00:00

A welcome addition to the Olympic opening ceremony would be a parade of all those people who have been denied treatment or life-saving drugs because they were “too expensive” or not “cost effective”.

This would give them the opportunity to see first-hand where their drug money has spent. It would also allow the UK government to be showcased worldwide on how it treats the most vulnerable in our society.

We are not a poor country – Westminster just chooses to spend our money unwisely.

Michael N Crosby

Muiravonside

By Linlithgow

What concerns me about the Olympics is not financial cost, road congestion, over-rated threats to civil liberties or the virtual monopolising of the airwaves with a monoculture of sportive “news”.

Rather, it is the knowledge that if an event giving rise to national mourning occurred (like the death of Diana or the Queen Mother), the games could not be abandoned as a mark of respect due to contractual obligations.

Were the next few weeks to see the sad loss of any of our Royal Family or Baroness Thatcher, the British people could never continue with the games in a spirit of enforced jollity.

Yet, that is precisely what the promoters and sponsors of this tawdry sporting circus would
attempt to ensure.

John Eoin Douglas

Spey Terrace

Edinburgh

How good it is that Sir Chris Hoy will be carrying the flag for Team GB at the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games (your report, 24 July). Also, it is good news that he is clearly very honoured by the distinction.

As he is a Watsonian – an old boy of one of Edinburgh’s finest scholastic establishments – this must mean that the ancient kingdom of Bernicia, which 
currently forms the south-east of Scotland, from the Forth to the Tweed, would have a very good chance of gaining gold in the Commonwealth Games, if we had our own team.

Just like the Cornish in England, perhaps it is time for the ancient nations that make up Scotland to gain their individual recognition as well.
Maybe the good folk of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders should be thinking of going down that road.

I am quite happy to do my bit in that respect too, if the call should come.

Andrew HN Gray

Craiglea Drive

Edinburgh