Make the Punishment Fit the Crime and Time
Oh, the irony and injustice. Eleanor Holm Whalen [Obituaries, Feb. 4] was an Olympic gold medalist for swimming in the 1932 Games. She was barred by Avery Brundage from participating in the 1936 Games to defend her medal because she was seen drinking one night. She was 22, and an adult married woman who had a couple of glasses of champagne.
In the Sports section the same day was the story of Tammy Crow, who qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in synchronized swimming. Crow, 27, has been convicted of vehicular manslaughter (killing two people) and sentenced to a jail term, which will not be implemented until after she competes in the summer of 2004.
Perhaps if Ms. Crow is successful in winning a medal, she might wish to dedicate it to Ms. Whalen’s memory.
Tracey Dodd
Hermosa Beach
Go beyond the scoreboard
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