I THOROUGHLY concur with Derek Everett’s denouncement of the honours so carelessly awarded our athletes, swimmers, etc (Letters, July 6) and share his alarm at the possible implications of the forthcoming Olympics.

I am pretty sure that most of the knighthoods and damehoods sprinkled over our medal winners in the past were knee-jerk reactions to the shock of Britain winning anything at all.

There can be no doubt that the efforts of these worthies should be rewarded to a high degree, but perhaps measured against those of heroes of war, terror or sheer personal bravery, too often unsung, when push comes to shove. Besides which, it would be difficult to measure the lifelong achievements of a knight of the theatre or a tireless champion of charity against one perfect throw of a javelin.

Sporting medals must be the only responsible answer.

With these, we may bestow applause upon the deserving few, while releasing from embarrassment the rest of the disinterested majority.

Julian R Powell, Larch Grove, Newport