If the Crystal Palace athletics meeting was a foretaste of the BBC’s Olympic coverage, heaven help us. Athletes being interviewed as they come off the track gasping for breath (such as Usain Bolt, above), inane background details etc. Those people not watching on TV are the lucky ones.

James Munro, Aneres, France

It was good to read Tony Hawks (last week) and his attempt to get free tennis for children. Too often, youngsters take to the courts and try to emulate adults on full-size courts, using unsuitable equipment. More time is spent retrieving overhit balls than enjoying the game. I suggest they are given short plastic tennis rackets and low pressure balls and play modified singles, with the normal service line becoming the baseline. Table tennis scoring could be used, and serving should be underhand.

David Ball, Ellesmere, Shropshire

In his interview with Lord Coe (last week), David Walsh refers to the widespread problem of poor grassroots sports facilities. A recent study by the Football Foundation identified that more than 80% of the 36,000 grassroots football pitches in this country were badly drained or had only basic changing provision - 38% had no changing rooms at all. The good news is that funding to rectify this problem is now available with grants through the Football Foundation. To apply for details of grants for facilities, community schemes or free kit for under18 teams, visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk

Paul Thorogood, chief executive, Football Foundation

After paying good money and travelling a long way to watch a game of cricket, it is frustrating when play is stopped because of bad light. Fluorescent balls, restricted run-ups, floodlights and suchlike would sort it. There are also too many repetitive Tests because too few countries play the game. Spain, Turkey, Portugal, Greece and others could play every day of the year, so we should send out cricket evangelists to spread the word.

Geoff Banwell, Eccleshall, Staffordshire

The England cricket team should have been at Lord’s on Tuesday to watch good cricket, sportsmanship and determination. No pampered, overpaid cricketers here, but heroes in the true sense. The Royal Navy were playing the Army in their centenary match. They congratulated the opposition when the batsman scored a hundred, and there was no pouting when decisions did not go their way. The ticket cost £10 and the money went to Help For Heroes. Perhaps the England team should donate their pay to this worthwhile cause.

Julia Smith, Maidstone, Kent

The England dressing room is like a closed shop. Why stay with men who don’t measure up consistently at Test level? It’s probably too late for next year’s Ashes, and an opportunity to bring in five or six new faces has been lost. Doing it now, however, would be a fresh start and if they don’t measure up we would be no worse off than we are now.

Kenneth Wood, Exeter

Send your letters to: The Sports Editor The Sunday Times 1 Pennington Street London E98 1ST

email: sportletters@sunday-times.co.uk

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