Re the need to walk more, here’s a hint: avoid your car as much as you can (Catching the Olympic spirit to improve wellbeing, Letters, 18 August). Cataracts stopped me driving three months ago. As a result, I’ve lost 3kg without dieting or any other increased activity. I am now driving again but am using the car only when absolutely necessary.
Also, games for older people do exist on an international level: World Masters Games will take place in Turin, Italy, in 2013. However, Great Britain could do as New Zealand does: it has its own Master Games in the North Island (at Wanganui) one year and in the South Island (Dunedin) the next. I was privileged to take part in 2009, and it was an incredible experience to see people of about my age (72) and over taking part in all kinds of sport. The swimmers, rowers, runners and cyclists were amazing. There was even a wood-chopping competition. I won the gold medal in tennis singles for the over-60s. The health benefits for people in this age group are immense.
Magdalena Davis
Birmingham
• The US already holds a Senior Olympics at national and state levels for people over 50, graded in five-year age groups. At least one centenarian participates. I ‘m training for the Rio Olympics, aiming to be the first 74-year-old to win Olympic gold. As I am not completely delusional, I understand that if there were a “senior Olympics”, my chances would definitely be greater.
Perhaps we should follow the example of the Paralympics: start locally, go national and then international. Belfast already has some sort of senior games organised. Why not the rest of Britain, and then the rest of the world? Seb Coe and other experienced athletes could reprise old glories. Those of us with no old glories could try for some new ones.
Ian Gorman
London
• Atos has proudly supported the Paralympic movement for a decade. We have been a key technology partner for the Paralympic Games since 2002 (Polly Toynbee, 24 August), and the official worldwide IT partner of the International Paralympic Committee since 2008. The massive IT infrastructure Atos provides has been crucial in helping the IPC and London 2012 to stage an international sporting event of this scale.
Ursula Morganstern
CEO, Atos in UK and Ireland
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