In the wake of “The Gateshead Clipper”, Jack Potts, an overlooked Olympic hero Jack Potts, fourth from right, in the winning English cross-country team (Paris, 1935) There was a time, back in the days of amateurism, when some British athletes of real international class missed out on the Olympic Games because they could not afford to lose their income while they were away from work. Now, in this age of rabid professionalism, the selectors choose only to send those competitors who they think could win medals in the belief that the greater the number of medals the more generous will be central funding. Other athletes not so highly thought of are denied their big-time opportunity, even when the necessary finance is available. No thought seems to be given to the idea that young and promising athletes not yet ready to challenge the very best would benefit from the experience of going to a Games, and would do rather better next time round.