I agree with what you are saying except your contention that child
protection
is a political issue. Drugs in sport isn't - why should child abuse be?

I think that whilst drugs and abuse etc, indeed anything sporting related
should be as far removed from politics as is possible. I fear that we are
increasingly being led down a route whereby sporting achievement is seen as
a tool in the political armoury. This is of course nothing new. When Rome
was under seige and the Empire was facing oblivion as the citizens starved,
the emporer was tld, "We have a fleet ready to sail to Carthage, do we bring
back wheat, or sand." The reply was bring back sand for the arenas. The
reasoning, which still holds true today is, keep the masses happy with their
sports and we can do what we like.

Today's thinking is probably more partisan, in that a sporting team doing
well results in a positive poll for the ruling party. Hence Mr Blair
crossing his fingers and hoping for an England victory in the World Cup,
hence the drive to bring the Olymics to the UK ( God save us from the impact
of that).

Other examples might be the Czechs beating Russia at Ice Hockey, the
resulting riots and the declaration of political independence. Or closer to
home, the ridiculous fortunes of the SNP which until devolution rose and
fell with the fortunes of the Scottish Football team.

The Communist bloc nations long put political importance in excellence in
sport (by whatever means possible) and I see that developing here. The Five
Step Coaching Structure beiong imposed acros the key Olympic Sports is
managed from the top, it excludes anyone doing sport for fun. Further, it
offers funding based on the importance of the sport in the medal awards,
that is clearly politically motivated.

The denial of political influence by politicians is disengenious and
utterences from our beloved leader at every opportunity to show his "man of
the people" face give the lie to the lack of political involvement.

We now hear the story of a Polish coach who was employed by the Chinese
authorities to coach their kayakers. When he arrived he was given a
stick.
When he asked what it was for, he was told it was to beat the paddlers to
make them go faster. He also said that one athlete was only allowed out
once
in 2 years - for a week-end to get married.

Over here, because of Government interference and target-setting, we have
lost the notion of inspirational coaching - instead opting for the
inspiration of money.

There is an element of truth in that. However, the big political motivation
is in the patronising concept that if they keep the plebescite happy with
sporting success then their future role in government sees improved odds -
I'm convinced.

Ewan Scott