IT was noted in an interview, and later in the Sydney Morning Herald (Tuesday, August 26), that the gold medallists travelled first class. Other medallists were in business class, and the rest second class. It was good to note Mr Rudd congratulated all athletes on their return home.

The Return of the Olympians

The world has no concern about the value of a soul,

But only the achieving of a predetermined goal.

The treatment of some athletes was a sad and sorry farce

The medal holders VIP – all others second class.

Now have you run so hard and pushed your body into pain,

And felt that something might break down when subject to such strain?

No measure of the sweat and pain of getting into shape.

Results are only settled by the stopwatch and the tape.

The accolades are given, not to those who did their best.

For only those who, on the day, were better than the rest

Shall have the medals and the fanfares and the world’s applauds

Their names and faces spread across the front page noticeboards.

And those who added nothing to the final medal count

Were segregated from the winners just on that account.

The champions are there because the others played their part

And pushed them on through training with a tough and willing heart.

Copyright August 2008

Tom Chapman

TAMWORTH