I WAS somewhat disturbed by the report concerning the Olympic athlete who despite an instruction by the magistrates felt unable to attend Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes in person due to heavy training commitment.

Now that the Olympics are past and the World Championships some time away, I can only presume the lady concerned was out of the country again.

Otherwise, the distance from Bath to Devizes is so relatively short that surely her attendance at court, for a maximum of about half a day, was not due simply to being in the gym or running around the track at Bath University.

A directive by magistrates is not to be taken lightly. I do so hope there was indeed more to this story than appeared as there is a grave danger that the reason given for non-attendance will become a precedent, not only for athletes but all participating at high level in sport.

Incidentally, I was a member of a prominent athletic club for a number of years and do have some knowledge of training commitments. To miss half a day would not be the end of the world.

TREVOR SELWOOD

The Street

Hullavington