ATHLETES from all over the world are coming together in the spirit of the Olympics to be the fastest, highest or strongest.

The winning of a medal will be the pinnacle of a sporting career.

However, the medals are at risk of being tarnished by the very shirts and sportswear on the backs of the athletes.

One factory producing Olympic-branded sportswear reported working shifts of up to 17 hours, being forced to do unpaid overtime and of being subject to harassment and abuse.

The TUC and Oxfam are acting together for change in a worldwide campaign 'Play Fair at the Olympics'.

When workers around the world making sportswear can also bring home decent wages, have reasonable work and rest time, and are able to negotiate their terms of work, then we can all feel truly proud of wearing the clothes that bear the Olympic emblem.

ROGER JAMES

(Oxfam South West Region)

JON GRAY (Chair, South West Region, Trades Union Congress)

Oxfam TUC

Bristol