Private-school dominance contradicts Olympic charter

However, it is sad to see how the BBC's coverage has become dominated by barely disguised jingoism and an obsession with the medal table.

There is no official Olympic stipulation for this medal table and it would appear to be a contradiction of one of the Olympic charter's central tenets - Olympic competitions are between athletes in individual or team events and not between countries.

Also, with the news that private education was behind more than 50 per cent of Britain's medal haul, it would seem that another central principle of the Olympics regarding discrimination is in danger of being breached.

When the British team is monopolised by athletes drawn from such a small minority of privileged educational backgrounds another Olympic contradiction is there for all to see.

Simon J Charles

Dundee