Quite a great deal of noise has been made about Bolt accepting a piece of the Berlin Wall. If he did not, I believe you would have been hearing about the impolite Bolt. Although representing Jamaica, he is his own individual and as such has the freedom of choice.

It would have made more sense if those who are so opposed had protested their participation in the games at first rather than to have celebrated his victory and then complained about his acceptance of a piece of wall. I am quite aware of what it represented, but I certainly do not believe the mayor of Berlin intended any insult.

I think we should concentrate more on eliminating the crime in Jamaica which is affecting so many people, and quit griping about Bolt and a piece of wall. If this world were perfect, how many of us would be alive today?

I hope this does not discourage him. You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

- J. Elaine Mc. Donald

jmcdo62658@optonline.net

Bronx, NY

USA

I thought Bolt's gift to be a significant gesture from the German people, some of whose older generations long ago settled in Jamaica.

Yet, it might appear that if his piece of the Berlin Wall came to the wharves, it could even be decimated before clearing customs.

Keep it in Germany at a well-maintained gallery, museum or park so historians and/or prospective tourists to Jamaica could better place value on it, and understand greatness.

This region may not need so stark a reminder of the struggles of the disenfranchised.

- L. Williamson

lswil2001@yahoo.com

London

England

Dr Garth Rattray's article in The Gleaner (August 31) has again hit the proverbial nail on the head. In reference to the stunning performance of our athletes, Dr Rattray stated, "We simply cannot continue like this. We need to investigate what separates our athletes from some of their peers. Was it their parents ... ?"

Therein lies the problem. There is no evidence of investigation or analysis of the perpetrators of crime, and there won't be any if we continue to kill them before they can talk.

- Cordella Cautheri

cordella@optonline.net

Cherry Drive

Kingston 8