Olympic athletes envoys

First let me make the point that it cannot be doubted that when an athlete dons the colours of his or her country, he/she would be aware that his/her own glory is intrinsically linked to that of his/her country.

Therefore, it would be irrational to expect him/ her to render less than his/her best.

The fact that our athletes were not able to bring home more medals in the truly competitive arena that is the Olympics is due not to a lack of patriotism but lies elsewhere. We must therefore assume that all our athletes did their best in the circumstances.

These Olympics, held every four years, are of important international relations significance, as they provide one of several forums for attempting to foster international friendship and goodwill among nations.

This importance is recognised by the presence, at the opening ceremonies, of several heads of state and government, including the US, and the secretary general of the United Nations.

I venture to suggest therefore that when an athlete puts on the colours of his/her country, in competition, he/she is, in effect, an ambassador of his/her country, even though he/she may not eventually be crowned with a “medal of glory”. May I say more in support of our athletes?

Errol OC Cupid Trincity, Tacarigua