Letter: Ethics of the race to be stronger, faster, higher

Sir: I have always understood that the object of the Olympic Games was to identify and glorify those athletes who had developed greater strength, skill and endurance than their fellows.

I wonder if some authority on sports ethics would care to explain the difference between Chris Boardman enhancing his performance by using an aerodynamically superior superbike, which we are told gives him 'a crucial edge' over his opponents, and Ben Johnson enhancing his performance by taking drugs.

Mr Boardman may indeed be the fastest man on two wheels and a worthy gold medallist, but I would have preferred him to have demonstrated this fact on a machine similar to those of his rivals.

Yours faithfully,

BENNETT P. MAXWELL

London, W13