Bombing at the Olympics

*Is there a possibility that this tragic incident could have been prevented if the politicians had adhered to recommendations of security chief William Rathburn (“Lack of Security at Park Was Subject of Early Debate,” July 28)?

The recent rash of terrorist acts conducted by forces within the U.S. should have been the barometer used to approach the daunting task for security of the athletes, spectators and venues in Atlanta.

It is hoped that the politicians and organizers in Sydney, Australia, will heed the painful lessons learned in Atlanta. Maybe next time, someone will listen to the experts.

LARRY A. MEAD

Industry

* Atlanta did not fail the Olympics. Humanity failed the Olympics.

C. R. RUPP

Lake Elsinore

* Once again, some of the news media exhibit their desire for sensation versus the truth. “How did security in Atlanta fail so miserably,” screams the commentator?

Although, we all watched the events unfolding and are aware of the quick thinking and action of the security personnel, the spin on the story is innuendos of blame. Many of the security personnel remained in the area and some were injured. The area was an open park, free to all. Although there were many police around, the hue and cry would have been great if an attempt had been made to search all attendees.

Backpacks, boom boxes, purses and other bags are common in a park and are able to hide dangerous items. This is the risk we take for living in a free society. History has taught us that anyone can succeed in harming others if they are fanatical enough and willing to take the risk.

DENE B. WINTEAD

Orange

* Re “Olympic Bombing Stuns World,” (July 28):

I thought I was looking at a sensationalizing tabloid. Can Atlanta or The Times be so solipsistic as to “rank” this incident with major terrorist events that have always happened, are now happening and will continue to happen?

S.S. GRASSMAN

Huntington Beach

* You question whether Kerri Strug should have made her final vault (“The Day After,” July 25). This is typical journalistic hindsight overkill on a decision that had to be made in less than 45 seconds. To your credit, you pointed out the narrow time frame. But your reporter goes on to cry over the fact that Strug had to forgo the all-around competition, and this is specifically blamed on her second vault, as if it were her coach’s fault for urging her on, or the fault of lack of timeouts in gymnastics.

What you conveniently ignore is that Strug would not have qualified for the all-arounds without her score in that second, painful, inspiring vault.

I hate to see pain, but it was a glorious and courageous act.

CHRIS LAUER

Los Angeles

* In the U.S., we look down upon and berate nations for “using” young children. We call it child labor. On the other hand, we applaud a child who is told to compete while physically hurt, “using” the youngster to appeal to our need for national glory.

ROBERT ARONOFF

South Pasadena

* They are the “Magnificent 7”; the U.S. women’s gymnastic team truly deserves that name. Their rightful claim to this title, however, is not due simply to their gold-winning scores but rather to how they got to that point.

Sports can sometimes cut through all the senseless blather that humans construct and show what the human spirit can really accomplish. Here is a team of young women chosen for their skills but who are also representative of the rich diversity of people that only America can summon up. Their ethnic differences and their variety of backgrounds--drawn as they are from nearly every section of our country--in no way kept them from working together, or in fact, from giving everything they had for the good of the team.

STEVEN PEREZ

Los Angeles