Pity you do not match up to our heroes Brown. At the first signs of trouble you run away, or are missing. Not like our lads. You are not fit to lick their boots.

albert hall, hove, england

Like a plaster on a gaping wound - useless !!!!!

ian payne, walsall,

I was infuriated, watching last evening's news, at Gordon Brown's comments comparing Olympic Athletes with British soldiers in Afganistan or wherever they are serving. Previous comments from your readers above say it all ! A case of not engaing brain before opening mouth ?

S Betts, Rhyl, Wales

Bob, London, to be able to respect someone they have to be trusted. Mr Brown does not fulfill that requirement.

Mike, Sole Street, England

No comment about the $170 million Gordon Brown is giving Afghanistan. That money should be spent on the equipment for the troops and also for a military hospital for them. We should not be using our taxpayers money for that country, out country has gone to the dogs thanks to Labour.

F. Simpson, Leics,

To say our troops who are putting their lives on the line have "the same dedication, professionalism and courage as the triumphant Olympic competitors" is an insult to them - they are doing a much harder and much more dangerous job than running around a track. Brown should not insult our soldiers.

Peter, London,

How do you re-launch something that has already sunk !

Martin Briggs, Heversham, England

Why can't the British press show some respect to our PM and also a sense of the right time and place to ask certain questions? The Afghan war is too important to be hijacked by small-minded reporters.

Bob, London,

Has this guy from Scotland lost all touch with reality.

Aside of the fact that he can add a quick stop off on his way to the closing bash in Beijing, does he really equate Olympic athletes and soldiers as being the same - heroes?

At least in Beijing he can glad hand the great and the good.

Willie Mac, Arden, Scotland

As usual, he is bereft of view, intent, charisma, any idea of leadership. A tongue-tied rogue, who is dishonourable in the extreme. When will he and his clowns realise that we see them for what they are?

Peter, Suffolk,

Its a pity no one knows what "the mission" is in Afghanistan.

Except loss of life in a foreign land. Very noble Gordon..

ronnie, bucks, UK

Good of Mr Brown to stop by, i'm sure they appreciated the visit. I hope he can continue his good work on spending more on the Armed Forces and getting hold of more new helicopters and C17 transport aircraft. All thumbs up from me!

Ian, London, UK

"You know that by taking on the Taleban and forcing them back you have made possible democracy here.”

"The Prime Minister's visit was conducted amid the tightest possible security, ..., because of the advance of the Taleban towards the Afghan capital.

Isn't there a contradiction there??

C.B.Ross, Motherwell, Scotland

His verbal diahhroea is getting worse. How utterly insulting to these underpaid and under-equipped professionals whose devotion and courage cannot be questioned. He should be dropped off in the deepest Taliban territory to see what they endure then he can say "I know what they're going through".

Raff , Ardeche, France

And he has promised them money for a radio station!! Are we so flush with cash at home? GB - stay in Afghanistan.

Harry, St Albans,

Pip in Banstead said it all. What a comparison to make: a bunch of atheletes who've enjoyed support & expenses in order to join in a jolly shindig which half the country isn't the least bit interested in & the members of our armed forces who have suffered from Brown's refusal to fund them properly.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

There are millions of young people in this country and around the world admiring our Olympians, so yes, they are heroes.

And why don't those "spend more on our soldiers" writers give their lottery pound to one of the many registered charities that do just that.

Mine was well spent on gold.

Dave, Edinburgh, Uk

Why is he so concerned about ending the corruption in the Afghan Government? He might have a bit more credibility if he sorted out the excesses of his own.
Brown's problem is he's always been too obvious,being seen with heroes and successful people won't make him look any less of a dismal failure

Dave, Devon,

How dare you liken pampered athletes as heroes in comparison to our armed forces! The men and women in our forces sacrifice so much on a daily basis the olympics pale in comparison, If i had the self determination, courage and concentration to be in the forces id be deeply, deeply offended by this!

Chris, Rochdale, UK

Fair play to the man I hear ! Fair play means equipping our military with the appropriate equipment for a change rather than letting them get blown up in regular land rovers or planes that blow up. Brown held the purse strings and its Browns fault so many have died because of MoD failures.

Mike, alicante, Spain

Fair play to the man-he's doing a difficult job under difficult circumstances and I don't hear many other people praising our troops in Afghanistan, or taking such a lead on this war full stop.

Rebecca, Bristol,

In Kabul huh? Says it all. Trying to look good. 'Supporting' our service people who are in a hopeless and completely unwinnable situation created by ignorant politicians like him who never read their history books obviously, too busy minding other peoples business in think tanks or whatever.

Victor M., Cricklewood, London,

What a disgrace to describe pampered and financially supported 'athletes' as 'heroes' then comparing them to our underpaid service personell who are actually putting their lives at risk, rather than just their egos at a 14 day all expenses paid shindig which has no significance whatsoever!.

pip, Banstead, uk

Yet another cynical photo opportunity before yet another Brown relaunch!

Robert, Hampshire,

Hardly comparable. How much is spent per head on the armed forces compared with an olympic athlete. How many soldiers won't be able to run again from the injuries recieved, I wonder who will be in the New Years honours list? Athletes or maimed or dead soldiers?

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

I suspect most soliders, sailors and aircrew would rather have a decent wage, the best equipment money can buy and adequate housing for their families rather than a gold medal Mr. Brown. You'd better divert them some more cash soon if you expect anyone to join up in future.

Dan, Southend,

Good old GB Faint praise indeed! Av Annual spend per athlete on kit etc £70K, per soldier ???. He can also spend £9 billion on life threatening games such as beach volleyball and BMX riding, but what about funding kit for his War Games or are they not part of Team GB(rown). It beggars belief!!!

Alan, Carlisle, GB