Petranoff’s Status Not of His Own Choice

My copy of Webster’s defines expatriate as “to withdraw from one’s native land or from allegiance to it.” This is hardly the appropriate label to place on U.S. Olympian Tom Petranoff (Jan. 31).

Due to shortsightedness and double standards of TAC officials, Tom was forced to find a way to support his family by competing in South Africa. It is a shame that we allow world politics to interfere with Olympic-class athletes. Hopefully, Tom will be able to return to world competition in the future, without the stigma of expatriate.

TED KREMPA, Rancho Santa Margarita