Britain's top athletes will be on their way home from Moscow this weekend, after doing us proud in the Olympic Games. Regardless of the political wrangling which has marred these games, our athletes were outstanding and deserve a pat on the back.
But we should not allow their success to go to our heads. Nor should we be dazzled by all the glitter and glamour of an event which, during these last two weeks, has proved itself to be the greatest sporting spectacle in the world. Instead, we should look to the grass roots of this great movement where there is even more to warm our hearts.
In Wallasey, athletics at grass roots level is flourishing, thanks to clubs like Wallasey Athletic Club, for most of its members, thoughts of competing in the Olympics never mind winning a medal, are nothing more than dreams - for the next four years at least.
But it is important that we pay as much attention to these athletes, many of whom have to squeeze in hours of training between school and homework each day, as we do for the likes of Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett, Daley Thompson or Sharon Davies.
These would be the first people to admit that encouragement and help at an early stage is vital if British hopes are to prosper in future Olympics.
Only last month, two members of Wallasey Athletic Club, 15 year-old Janet McGee and 17-year-old Ian Mcleod, took part in an athletics tournament in Milan. Both did well against opposition from all over Europe, with Janet coming home with a silver medal.
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Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 02/08/1980
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