Sports Letters: British are such dreadful losers

Sir: Having just watched both the live coverage and highlights of the ice dance free programme at the Winter Olympics on BBC, I find myself dismayed at the remarks of the commentators and other experts. As a nation that prides itself on its sporting heritage it is surely a sad reflection on ourselves that we seem unable to accept defeat in a sporting manner. Decisions in such events are made by a panel of judges who I'm sure have vast experience in the event and not by the crowd who, in this instance (judging by the abundance of Union Jacks) was hardly impartial. If victory in sporting contests went purely on crowd reaction then the prerequisite for victory would not be training, skill and dedication but an efficient ticket sales office]

Yours faithfully,

STUART ALLAN

22 February