I felt compelled to comment on the opinion piece, Ennobling spirit of Olympics killed by corporate phoniness, by Brian Kappler.
I have spent a lifetime inspired by the Olympics. I was an English county swimmer "with potential" in my early teens, and the thought of competing at Olympic level is what gave me the drive to train at every hour of the day. The Olympics coming to my home country is something to relish, not criticise.
The legacy of the Games will live long in the UK. An estimated 10 million people turned out to watch the flame travel around the country with another two million estimated to watch it in London. And 75 per cent of tickets are already sold. Is this "phoniness"?
For the athletes this is their lifetime aim, regardless of the sport in which they compete (even fencing - Matteo Tagliario won the épée in answer to your question).
Children growing obese has nothing to do with budgeting for elite athletes. If children want to succeed then they will, and passing the blame for their obesity to governments or sporting bodies is at the best short-minded and at worse just an excuse; a really bad one at that. You don't need sponsorship to swim in the sea or run along the roads and paths.
Athletes are aware of the branding, because it finances them. The organisers and governing bodies are aware, as it enables them to provide these Games. I would suggest that the average person who just likes to watch sport doesn't pay it a second thought.
Pierre de Coubertin wanted a chance for the world to come together once every four years in the name of sport. Over the next three weeks we will see just that.
Perhaps a bit of the camaraderie that these sportsmen and women feel towards each other regardless of race, creed, colour or gender will spill over into the political world, and then his aim will have been fully achieved.
Ian Douglas, Dubai
Great sportsman sets an example
What can one say regarding Twitches of Amla's bat can do a fine turn (July 23)?
Hashim Amla is one of those cricketers, and characters, you only get once in a blue moon. He's humble, he's devoted to his religion and he's a wonderful example of a true sportsman.
Being a professional sportsman, he gets paid because of large sponsorships from big companies, such as Castle Breweries in the case of South African cricket. We know that Amla doesn't wear the Castle beer logo on his shirt because he is a Muslim.
I respect his decision and salute him for doing it, but allow me the question: how does he get paid? Does he share in the sponsorship money?
André Barnard, South Africa
Assad should be allowed to flee
I write in reference to Assad unleashes helicopter gunships on his own capital (July 23).
Despite my dislike for the Assad regime and my support for the civilians being shelled, I think it would be better if Bashar Al Assad did not end up like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Qaddafi.
He is finished as a political force so he should accept any offer of safe passage out of the country.
My preference is that Syria have a government with a secular base and with the rule of law applying.
Frederick Melick, Australia
Will supermarkets also be punished?
Market stalls lose licences over pricing breaches (July 23)? Big deal. What about supermarkets, especially those inside malls?
Let's wait and see what happens to them.
James Donato, Dubai
Ramadan working hours apply to all
In A little planning goes a long way (July 22), one interviewee says senior staff are not "subject" to Ramadan hours.
The Ministry of Labour says all employees must work reduced hours regardless of religion, or if they choose to work them, they must be paid double time.
N Edwards, Dubai
India must respect Muslims' rights
Having read the opinion article India's Muslims left behind because of an old secular bias (July 23), I feel the scenario is more visible in Uttar Pradesh and a few other states where the Muslim community has comparatively fewer privileges in job allocations and admissions to educational institutions.
In the south Indian state of Kerala, the Muslim League is the second largest stakeholder in government, with five ministers.
The focus should be more on states where the Muslim community is long suffering and their basic demands are being ignored.
The provision of basic constitutional rights to Muslims in India should be respected and valued.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
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Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
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Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Company%20Profile
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The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Company%20Profile
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Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)