Letters: Jun. 11, 1984

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Soviet Nyet

To the Editors:

Ideological as they are and political as they have become [OLYMPICS, May 21], the Games must go on. They are good medicine for politically tense times.

Brian Boru O'Brien Brighton, Mass.

Here we go again! The Olympics have been turned into an international farce. Politics has taken control of the Games at the expense of the athletes. The Soviets are giving us a taste of our own medicine, but at least the Olympics should now be a contest of dedicated amateurs.

Robert Loigman North Caldwell, N.J.

The Soviets withdrew from the Olympic Games not because they feared their athletes would not be safe, nor to "get even" for President Carter's removal of American athletes from the Games in Moscow in 1980. The real reason: they fear defection by their own athletes.

William J. Turner Northport, N. Y.

The agony of default may lie in the perception of what the Olympics were meant to be and not in what they have become. It seems questionable to criticize the U.S.S.R. for exercising a freedom of choice we have already used. Politics has been a part of the Games for decades; perhaps the best we can do is recognize this and learn to deal with it.

Letitia Abbott-Steele Shreveport, La.

Although the Soviets and their allies will not be attending the Olympic Games, I will not consider as second rate the achievements of those who win this summer. I am proud of this country's athletes and recognize their hard work and extraordinary ability. While I am sympathetic toward those who will not be competing, I feel we should refuse to let the Soviets ruin our fun simply because they will not come out to play.

Bettie-Ann Likens Ocean City, N.J.

The U.S.S.R. is still killing and maiming innocent people in Afghanistan. To beg the Soviets to participate in the Games is one more example of America's inability to face up to the world as it is.

Martin Davis Knoxville, Tenn.

By forbidding its splendid team of athletes to participate in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the Soviet Union is damaging the only appealing aspect of its image as perceived by a majority of people on this side of the Iron Curtain. It is a vengeful and unsporting act. On the other hand, nobody is indispensable. I am ready to bet that there are plenty of athletes who are secretly rubbing their hands at the prospect of reaping a medal where before they had no chance.

Eva Scheidecker Balschwiller, France

Insufficient security? The Soviets cannot be serious. If the excuse had not been that, it would have been something else like pollution, weather, the food or too soft beds. Let them stay home. Have a nice summer, guys. We will not miss you.

Jonathan Bloom Miami

This latest refusal to participate in the Olympics shows the desperate need for the Games to be depoliticized. Greece is the only place for the Games to be permanently seated. To have the Olympics reduced to a convenient political tool of the superpowers is a crime that all athletes should condemn.

Dimitris N. Katsinis Salonika, Greece

Soviet Union to U.S.: You spoiled our party. We will spoil yours.

Daniel W. Shenk Cedar Falls, Iowa