Letters

It baffles me that whenever a black athlete takes a different approach in a sport dominated by whites (Olympic Preview, Alone at the Top, Feb. 8) suspicion seems to surround that effort. While Bode Miller is perceived as a rebel, Shani Davis is inscrutable and not forthcoming. Could it be that Davis simply found a way of training that suits him?

Rodney K. Boswell, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Canada [Heart] Hockey

The Olympic Preview articles on Sidney Crosby (Destiny's Child, Feb. 8) and Team Canada's hockey hopes (Canada Obsessed) explained our game, our country and our passion perfectly. I don't think any American can possibly understand how much this sport and this team mean to us.

John Fullerton, Cambridge, Ont.

By the Numbers

Peter King says he will reserve judgment on whether or not Kurt Warner belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (SCORECARD, Feb. 8). That's fine, but in the spirit of King's expressed numerical scrutiny, he should also be leading the movement to change the name of this institution to the Pro Football Hall of Accomplishments in Statistics, Longevity and Consistency. Otherwise, as anyone who has watched the NFL for the last 12 years knows, Warner's contributions warrant his automatic induction into the Hall.

Ed Porter, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Making a Difference

In First Class to Gym Class (POINT AFTER, Feb. 8) Chris Ballard pinpoints why I want to become a physical-education teacher. Putting out so much effort for so little pay and recognition may perplex many people, but the reward is priceless. There should be greater focus on young children now, because if they are obese or lack motor control there may not be more athletes like Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

Josh Bever, Las Vegas

Many people may believe that Joe Carbone took a step down by leaving his "glamorous" job to become a P.E. teacher, but anyone who chooses to make a difference in the physical well-being of our nation's disadvantaged is taking a huge step up. Thank you, Joe, for putting kids first.

Nicci West, Alliance, Ohio

Swimsuit

As a psychiatrist, neurologist and football fan, I thank you for the timely release of the Swimsuit Issue. Since the Vikings lost to the Saints in the NFC Championship Game, I fear the incidence of depression in Minnesota has surpassed the national average.

Craig Qualey, Eagan, Minn.

Congratulations to SI for including a South Asian woman and an Ivy Leaguer in the Swimsuit Issue, both in the form of Sonia Dara. The beauty of those groups has been underrepresented in past editions.

Gerald W. Weaver II, Bethesda, Md.

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BOB MARTIN (OLYMPIC PREVIEW)

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WALTER IOOSS JR. (SWIMSUIT)