Shame on the Portland Press Herald for reprinting the unnecessarily negative commentary by the Associated Press’ Tim Dahlberg titled “Unless medal table flips, U.S. is a flop” (Feb. 19, Page C1). What a ridiculous notion and what an insulting headline to all athletes!

What about the athletes who are setting personal bests, but someone in the world may be better that day? What about all the sacrifice, commitment and devotion it take just to be an Olympic athlete, let alone to be one of only three medal winners? What about the idea of the Olympics as the true competitive spirit, not medal counts?

I don’t expect better from Mr. Dahlberg, who probably never had the dedication or intestinal fortitude to play a sport at a high level. But I expected more from the Portland Press Herald than to reprint his offensive and derogatory column.

Steve Strand

Yarmouth