I’m disappointed with the Sun Journal’s coverage of women’s gymnastics. Nastia Luikin and Shawn Johnson are superstars, in my view. Where were their pictures when they won the gold? Both those girls deserve more credit than was afforded them by this newspaper.

The absolute worst though, was the headline: “Richards, Jones squander gold.” (Aug. 20)

Did the writer think about how thoughtless and insulting that word squander is? Squander, as defined by Webster, is to spend or use wastefully or extravagantly.

Sanya Richards did her best to win the 100-meter but suffered a tightening hamstring toward the end. Nevertheless, she won bronze. Does that equate to squandering her talent?

No.

Lola Jones is a hero simply for having made it to the Olympics. She’s the one who was homeless for much of her childhood. She lived in four different foster homes during high school so that she could train and work toward her dream. She was the absolute favorite to win the gold. But, for whatever reason, she messed up, and hit a hurdle, so it didn’t work out. Did she squander her big chance?

No.

Where was the compassion? Didn’t everyone see her, standing alone in a hallway after that race, fighting back tears? Didn’t everyone see her anguish and disbelief of the reality that she had blown her big chance?

A much better headline would have been: “Richards and Jones – heartbroken!”

Claire Dupuis, Poland