I TRUST that Gordon Evans (Letters, July 30) was one of the many spectators and viewers who were enthused by support for Unicef at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

There is no doubt that Glasgow and other Scottish local authorities have made very effective use of the build-up to the Games to encourage participation in sports by a wide range of children. It is, then, surprising that he does not understand the place of families as spectators at major sporting events.

I have yet to attend a "more informal sevens event" which he mentions. It is the very atmosphere of rugby sevens that makes them so attractive to families. The IRB Sevens tournament in Dubai attracts a similar size of audience to that held at Ibrox and it caters well for all ages.

Glasgow has put a huge effort into planning these Games and, for the most part, it has been hugely successful in encouraging everyone to participate. If there is any selfishness, it is not in "modern parents" but from those who believe that major sporting events should be exclusive.

Alan Potter,

68 Corsebar Road,

Paisley.

BLESSED with some glorious weather, many thousands of people are really enjoying a superb experience either visiting Commonwealth Games venues and/or soaking up the wonderful atmosphere within the city.

I was one of the fortunate ones able to enjoy some splendid rugby at Ibrox at the weekend. Having wondered who many of the players were on the field of play on the Saturday, I decided to purchase a programme on the Sunday, hoping that I might also be able to glean some further information on what happens if there were drawn matches and so on, as well as get pen pictures of the stars on the field.

I had no problem buying my programme and decided that I would get to my seat and then browse the contents of the 84-page publication. Sadly, half the pages were devoted to adverts and only five pages were presented under the title "Rugby Sevens", of which only two and a quarter were peculiar to this actual event.

Whilst Ally McCoist's rugby exploits and a bit of history about Ibrox was interesting reading, this is surely not what was expected or wanted at a rugby sevens event. I felt as if I had been cheated. I still don't know who represented all the various nations competing, what the players' heights and weights were or the pedigree of rugby in the Barbados, for example?

If this is replicated at all the other venues, the programme is not worth purchasing.

Apart from that, my visit to Ibrox was a wonderful experience.

Ian Douglas,

North Kaim, Lochwinnoch.

We have a world-class athletics stadium in Glasgow. Hampden Park. Why are we about to rip it out and convert it back to a national stadium?

Does anyone really care that we have a national stadium? I don't believe the footballers really care. I don't believe many Scotland football fans would care.

We should take the opportunity to keep Hampden as it currently is and send the national team around the country and to real football stadiums.

The legacy of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (already confirmed) would be much enhanced if it provided Scotland with something it did not previously have... Hampden Athletics Stadium.

Steve Williamson,

8 Galston Avenue,

Newton Mearns.

AT the risk of being a party-pooper can I point out that Scotland's "record-breaking" medals tally should be seen in context?

In the 1986 Edinburgh Games para-sports were not included, there were only 10 sports featured and the total number of medals on offer was 502. By close of play on Tuesday -halfway through - here had been 480 medals awarded across 17 sports.

Well done to Team Scotland for their excellent results so far, but a little perspective would not go amiss.

Ray Russell,

16 Byron Crescent,

Dundee.

I NOTE with interest your article regarding the proposed city centre marina after the success of the Commonwealth Games flotilla ("Marina plan for Glasgow after flotilla success", The Herald, July 29).

I have acted for several marinas over the last 40 years. The guide to a good marina location is being able to hoist sails within a few minutes of leaving a berth close to good cruising grounds or in a sailing race area, and in the west of Scotland we have some of the best cruising grounds in the world.

For most "yachties" the sailing and holiday season is short and the time spent under engine power is resented - the trip from the city centre to the Tail o' the Bank is far too long.

What is proposed is, on the surface, is a good idea and based on a one -off scenario but in reality not very economic or practical.

Richard Fox,

Chartered surveyor,

Kintra, 29A Victoria Road,

Gourock.

SOME of your readers may remember that in 1975 my mother, Bailie Constance Methven, proposed that Glasgow should bid to host the Olympic Games.

She described it as a Lodestar project that could inspire Glaswegians to believe again in the future of the city in the midst of industrial decline.

Sadly the vision was not pursued then - perhaps an idea before its time.

If she were alive today, I believe she would be filled with pride at the way Glaswegians have embraced the Commonwealth Games and welcomed athletes,supporters and guests to the city and to their hearts - truly an idea whose time has come.

Constance Simpson (nee Methven),

20 Whittingehame Drive,

Glasgow.