Letter: Setting an Olympian example

After the blink of an eye, the football season is upon us again. Let us hope that the players have learned something from the honesty, approachability and humility shown by Team GB's Olympians.

They had microphones thrust under their noses straight after races – often just seconds after seeing their four-year-long ambitions shattered – and gave sensible, insightful and moving responses.

It is all a far cry from our rich boy premier league footballers, who believe their own hype, and appear to resent their media obligations.

Heaven forbid the people who pay their increasingly obscene wages deserve the opportunity to hear what they have got to say, and expect something more than the usual 'game of two halves' clichés.

One of the reasons people have embraced the success of Team GB at the Olympics is the attitude of the competitors themselves. They made us feel part of it, and allowed us to bask in their success.

Footballers, meanwhile, often barely acknowledge we even exist once they have made it to the highest echelons of success.

They'd soon know about it if we stopped paying their wages, and spent an enjoyable Saturday afternoon at the local athletics stadium instead, or the judo ring, archery arena or the taekwondo club.

Anyone for synchronised swimming?

Dan Jones

Brookside

Telford