Keeping going

Once again the Tour de France is under a cloud after this year’s winner tested positive for a banned substance. But whilst the cycling world waits to find out what really happened, Ryder Cup contestants endured torrential rain and driving winds, with the European team going right to the wire to secure a 14½-13½ win.

As for the Commonwealth Games, the arguments are over (for now at least) and the Games are under way. Hopefully they won’t be tainted by allegations of drug taking.

Sadly, the Welsh Heritage Minister missed the Games altogether, arriving 12 hours late at Heathrow Airport. The Welsh Conservative Leader said: ‘It doesn't sound like it was the airline's fault anyway. It's unlikely a plane would leave 12 hours early.’ He’s probably right.

A very different kind of athlete, Sir Norman Wisdom, has died at the age of 95. His slapstick comedy demanded huge energy and athleticism and drew fame and acclaim from the most unlikely places, including Hong Kong.

During the Cold War he was a great favourite in Albania, whose Stalinist government said that his films were politically acceptable. He was even mobbed when he visited the country to receive the Freedom of Tirana.

If by now you’re wondering where the connection is between this and WordLive, Timothy made a clear connection between the successful athlete and the faithful Christian (2 Timothy 2:3). We may not all be athletic, but we need the athlete’s dogged perseverance.

Emlyn Williams