Published: 7 August, 2014

I MUST take issue with Richard Osley’s article. 

Your correspondent is a real doom and gloom merchant in everything he writes, and this particular article was no exception.

In essence, he predicted the Commonwealth Games would be boring and that it is a second-rate competition as some major countries were not competing. Well I’ve just come back from Glasgow after watching the athletics for the whole seven days and was not bored for one moment. Just because the Games are not the Olympics doesn’t mean they are virtually worthless. 

Second-class? Ask the British sprinters if they felt they were up against second-class opposition when running against the Caribbean teams. Ask the same question of our middle and long distance runners up against the Kenyan athletes.

Second-class my foot! 

Indeed it would not surprise me if British athletes have an easier time at the European Championships in Zurich next week. Another charade, Mr Osley, because the Americans are not there? 

Finally I issue a challenge to Richard Osley. Hop on a plane in four years’ time and go to the Gold Coast where the next Games are to be held. 

Go into any bar and tell the locals that the Games are just a charade. With a bit of luck, he’ll get the Australian version of a Glasgow kiss. No disrespect to Glasgow, of course. 

PATRICK BURKE, EC2