Letters

Unfortunately, Charest has been quoted as saying that if the Canadian Track and Field Association nominates Johnson, its funding from the feds may be cut off. It is clear that Charest does not have the authority to decide who represents Canada on the playing field. It is equally clear that he does have the power.
FRANK RATCLIFFE
Director of Communication
Canadian Olympic Association
Ottawa

Johnson acknowledges having taken steroids before he set the world record in the 100 meters at the 1987 World Championships in Rome. His use of these drugs tells me that he didn't think he was capable of that kind of time without them. Moreover, the drugs did not have to be in his system on the day of the event to have influenced his performance. Imagine if he had admitted tampering with the wind meter to remove any possibility that his performance was wind-aided. Would that not justify disqualifying the record?
JOHN NABER
Pasadena

? Naber won four gold medals and a silver in swimming at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.—ED.

Noden raises an interesting point: what to do with Johnson's world record. Johnson got caught—but not until seven years after he had begun using steroids. It is ridiculous to think that all other 100-meter competitors in Rome and Seoul were clean just because no one else was caught. Johnson is getting the going-over, but his record should not be stripped until a serious and conscientious international crackdown takes place to rid the sport of drugs.
SCOTT RADLEY
Willowdale, Ont.

TRUX
Ron Fimrite's "Growing Up with Trux" (POINT AFTER, July 3) touched my heartstrings. It kindled loving memories of my dad and our mutual infatuation with major league baseball as well as memories of my son and how at ages 40 and 67 we, too, have found our way back to where we belong.
RAY E. HALE
Indianapolis

The sense of loss described by Fimrite is as true and sad as his tribute to Trux is beautiful. Sadder still is the fact that this feeling of loss never really goes away. My dad died one brutal day in June 1972. I was 13, but the hole it left in my life remains.
MATTHEW T. CARTER
Pawtucket, R.I.

ROLE MODELS
I agree with Rick Telander's views (POINT AFTER, June 5) regarding drug czar William Bennett's recruitment of pro athletes to fight drugs. Athletes are human. Having the ability to excel in a sport does not provide some magical deterrent to drug abuse or any other human frailty. I also agree with Telander that parents may well be eluding some of their responsibilities as role models by using athletes in that capacity. Responsibility begins in the home.
QUILL N. GILES
Salem, Va.

I dispute Telander's contention that athletes should not be held to a higher standard than other citizens. Athletes are popular, and among the rewards and burdens of popularity is social and civic responsibility. National Drug Control Policy Director William Bennett knows that if kids flock to buy Michael Jordan sneakers, maybe they'll buy Jordan's advice, too.
JAMES L. O'NEILL
Providence

COOPERSTOWN (CONT.)
In your photo essay about the Hall of Fame (Safe at Home, June 12), you ran a photograph of the pitching rubber from Allie Reynolds's 1951 no-hit game against the Boston Red Sox. The rubber was signed by both Yankee and Red Sox players, but I cannot find Ted Williams's signature. I find that interesting because he was such an important part of the drama.

I was at Yankee Stadium that day and vividly recall that Williams was the 27th out. Baseball's best hitter lifted a high pop foul in front of the Yankee dugout—Yogi Berra dropped it, and Reynolds, lunging for it, missed it, too. The crowd in the stadium groaned. On the next pitch, Williams hit another foul pop, and this time Yogi caught it and got a bear hug from Reynolds. It doesn't seem right that Williams's signature should be absent.
FRED MACMULLAN
Brookline, Mass.