It’s Tough to Keep Track of Everything

I read with interest Mike Downey’s feature of June 23 on Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner. This native Iowan, however, is bewildered by Mr. Downey’s characterization of the small Iowa college as “a cornfield college.” How is “cornfield” being used? As a noun? An adjective? I asked friends and neighbors to clarify Mr. Downey’s word play, only to be the object of ridicule.

Then, like a dairy cow running smack into the broadside of a barn, it hit me. Mr. Downey was alluding to the abundance of corn growing near Jenner’s former college. How naive of me!

Seeking to create an analogy based on such a sensible model, a local Southland college was brought to mind: the University of Southern California, which is situated in a ghetto. Mr. Downey, based on your logic, would you care to complete this analogy?

DAN ROTHERT

Arcadia

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Although Michael Johnson certainly deserves all the accolades he has received for his astounding 200-400 double at the Olympic trials, he is not the first sprinter who has been successful at those distances. Tommie Smith won the Olympic gold medal in 1968 in the 200 meters and was also an accomplished runner in the 400.

Johnson’s double should remind us of the more improbable 400-800 double gold medal 20 years ago at Montreal by Cuba’s Alberto Juantorena. While Johnson’s achievement at our Olympic trials was truly sensational, I suspect it will be a long time before we see Juantorena’s feat duplicated.

DREW POMERANCE

Westwood

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My commendations to ESPN for their Olympic track and field trials coverage. Interviews were held to a minimum, nostalgic bits of video were not included and the analyst actually analyzed. There were no cute nicknames, athletes talking about their good old days or some boob speculating about what an athlete was thinking or feeling.

It was coverage for those interested in track.

On Saturday, I watched NBC’s coverage of the trials. In the time it took me to go through my mail and make a sandwich, I saw one hurdle race lasting 12 to 15 seconds. There was more of Bob Costas than the trials. And even when Costas was on, NBC didn’t have the courtesy to have an event in the background. I would rather see an elite athlete stretch than watch a talking head.

I wish ESPN was doing the Olympics, so I wouldn’t have to watch with my fingers poised over the mute and fast-forward buttons.

MATTHEW HEALY

Venice

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They call me God and I am not amused. Last weekend, particularly during the U.S. Olympic trials, I was publicly and pointedly thanked ad nauseam for wins by runners and jumpers and swimmers and divers and others too many to count.

Time out! How arrogant for athletes to think that God would single them out for special attention. Thank your coaches for their good training. Thank your families and friends for their support. Thank yourself for all your hard work and dedication. But please stop thanking me! I’m no more responsible for winners winning than I am for losers losing.

RON HARDCASTLE

Los Angeles