LETTERS : IRAN SHOULD ALSO APOLOGIZE.

Regarding the letter by Hadi Rahnamoon (July 19) asking ABC to apologize to Iranians because of the way they covered the Iranian-U.S.A. World Cup game:

Maybe ABC should apologize, but not until Iran apologizes to America for the destruction of our embassy and the seizing of American citizens as hostages during their revolution. Mr. Rahnamoon states that, ``after all, Ayatallah Khomeini was the leader of 60 million people who approved of his method of governing.'' I have to remind him that there are over 250 million Americans that did not, and still do not, approve of the way America was treated by the government of Iran during their revolution. Maybe apologies are in order, but I have to ask to whom and by whom? To compare TV coverage of a soccer game to what happened to us during Iran's revolution is not only out of order, it is ridiculous.

- FRANK CARLISI

Calabasas

It isn't a sport

The question is not whether Billy May should be allowed to participate in the synchronized swimming competition. The question is why did synchronized and rhythmic gymnastics ever receive sanction as legitimate sports? Mr. May contends that he was a gymnast before he switched to swimming. One look at his muscular-deficient body strongly suggests that he was competitive in neither of those traditional sports. So, what do we do in this politically correct society when we are not competitive in traditional sports? We create new ``sports'' in which previously non-competitive athletes can be ``the best in their sport.'' We can now celebrate mediocrity in a field where, once, only the ``highest, strongest and fastest'' held reign. Such is the legacy of affirmative action.

- LALAN CAWI 

Alhambra

Mission clear

The NBA needs to take care of the lockout. Players and management must heal their differences for the good of the game and to avoid a play stoppage. Not only will those involved not be able to play, but also huge money losses can be expected. The NBA needs to look at the recent history of baseball. Ever since the stoppage, baseball has been fighting to get its fans back. It is only now more than four years after the baseball lockout that fans have regained their old interest in the game. Basketball cannot afford a similar situation. Owners need to give the players everything they ask for. Let's face it, players make the league what it is today. Basketball revenues are in the billions of dollars every year and economically the risk in putting a price ceiling on the players could realistically change the best professional sport forever.

- STEVE LYONS

Agoura Hills

Malone blew it

Dear Mr. Malone:

I can't hold back any longer. . . . I must know what has happened to you? I finally caught your act on ESPN with Rodman. What a disgrace. You've burst my bubble. I always thought of you as the prototype basketball player. The best of the best, with the integrity to match. You epitomized what work ethic meant, both on and off the court. A player who negotiated his own contract (no agent), ran a very successful business in the offseason (driving your own big rig.).

I'm sure you were held in high esteem by your contemporaries, as well as your fans and the press. The NBA is at a low point now with the lockout and all. That's it - the lockout! You needed the money, right? The NBA sure doesn't need the adverse publicity.

Please show some sign of coming out of it, for the sake of your fans. I would suggest you make a formal apology to your fans via ESPN. I'm sure Roy Firestone would love to narrate.

- LARRY GAUKEL

Canyon Country