Dear Sir,

Invariably I agree with Adrian Robson's observations of various sporting issues in his ‘Friday Forum' column.

However, last Friday he supported and even praised the decision by the BTFA to declare the Marathon a tie between El Afoui Boubker and Simon Sawe. Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Unquestionably Boubker crossed the line ahead of Sawe - this is supported by photographic evidence.

What happened prior to the finish is irrelevant - ask the third place finisher in the men's 2004 Olympic Marathon who undoubtedly would have won had he not been impeded.

In road racing “s . . . happens” and, no matter whose fault, the end result should stand and sympathy should not be a factor.

Certainly, Boubker had no part in Sawe's unfortunate incident, yet he, Boubker, loses the outright title through no fault of his own.

Mr. Robson was absolutely correct in stating “. . . all those who compete, particularly front runners, must be aware that it's their responsibility to know the course, especially towards the finish line”

Exactly!

So why the easy way out and the wrong decision by the BTFA to declare a tie?

And exactly who made the decision to avoid a possible controversy?

Appeals by athletes are supposed to be in writing and then considered by nominated officials (not the Race Director and certainly not by an official who was involved in the incident).

Undoubtedly any response by the organisers will say that Boubker accepted the decision but this is hardly the point.

Once again the BTFA have demonstrated their inability to follow internationally accepted procedures and IAAF rules.

The decline in this event continues unabated.

Take away the charity walkers and see what's left!

OBSERVER

City of Hamilton

Dear Sir,

We know the Race Weekend 2005 was another overall success and I'm not saying that as a supporter, but as I see it. The weather was the best and the times were good for many in all the levels.

Thank you to Mr. Barber for coming in with his sponsorship, the Government for seeing the value of this event, and their sponsorship, plus the many other sponsors and donators. Thank you to all the volunteers from the BTFA administration and their race committee, to everyone else who did so much before, during and after (those who will start planning the 2006 event now) for Bermuda was again rewarded. Thank you competitors, you should be very pleased with yourselves.

I overall enjoyed the pre and post Race Weekend reporting by The Gazette, and even clipped out the results and put them in my loose leaf, stapled in folder.

It would be great if the sponsorship dollars could come forward a lot earlier and I'd like to see an Elite Female division as well on the Friday night. I'm sure the public would like that. This may also help the quality of the Saturday and Sunday races increase.

Early dollars would help the BTFA to plan that section.

The Friday night has been the same old, same old, it's time for an addition I feel. Ashley Couper shows her quality, and who knows there may be many in her level and better who'd like to come here for the mile mainly, and do another race.

My other desire is for a public input of money into sport through a less mandatory method, like a sport lottery, casino gambling, a bond issue etc. These methods could be good because many people like a reward from using their money themselves.

Full taxation should not be used as a first resort, but taxation could be used to make up the difference.

Yes, thankfully the international companies do donate where they want to, but we need other ways of getting dollars as there are many sports needing funds here.

In closing, hopefully we'll all live and learn more together, and may the 2006 race and reporting be even better.

ROGER LAMBERT

Sandys