Olympic letdown - Athletes not the only ones to blame

THE public's deep disappointment at the poor performance of Ireland's Olympic athletes was graphically mirrored in the forlorn spectacle of Sonia O'Sullivan's lonely last lap around the Athens stadium.

Characteristically, what Sonia lacked in speed, she more than made up in dignity, finishing the 5000-metre final with courage and resolute commitment though she had been lapped by the entire field.

Particularly worrying is the fact that Sonia's lacklustre performance in Greece appears to have been replicated among other members of the squad, far younger athletes who have yet to match her outstanding achievements.